VOLUME 34, NO. 1 | SPRING 2022
RECOGNIZING TWO FAMILY LEGACIES OF GENEROSITY, LEADERSHIP, AND VISION
2 020-2021 Rick Leone Scholars
Editor’s Note: This edition outlines events and activities at SJNA from January 2021-January 2022. In addition, it recognizes donor participation during Fiscal Year 2021 (July 1, 2020-June 30, 2021). We will resume regular distribution of twice per year with the next Beacon release in October 2022.
A Salute to Excalibur Founder Marilyn F. Blake H1986 The inaugural Excalibur, initially called “A Night for Lancers,” was founded by parent Marilyn F. Blake H1986. M arilyn Blake and her son Douglas at the inaugural auction fundraiser.
As Vice President of the Dad’s Club (now known as Parents Club), Marilyn recognized the need for philanthropy at the Academy. When she initially proposed the idea for a fundraising auction, she was met with skepticism and an uncertainty that a profit could be made. She approached then President Col. Charles E. Watkins, who had confidence in her ability to give it a try. With that, Marilyn and her co-chairs began recruiting other parents to plan for the event. Marilyn’s son, Douglas Blake S1986, recalls his mom saying early on that they needed something big to kick it off so that people would be interested in attending and donating. As luck would have it, she recruited parent Art Fleming, original host of the television game show Jeopardy, to be the host/auctioneer. Held in Farrand Hall Gymnasium on Sunday, May 13, 1984, several hundred guests attended the very enjoyable evening. It was a great success for the school, raising just over $20,000 for scholarships.
Douglas Blake said, “What is unique about Marilyn is not just her creativity and dedication to the Academy, but that she did so selflessly and always with such strength and grace.” Throughout her time of working, planning, and implementing the event, Marilyn was battling cancer and had been for several years prior. After her third auction as co-chair in 1986, she was so proud to watch her son cross the commencement stage as Captain of Band Company. Douglas said, “But really it was I who was so proud of her for all of her accomplishments and for her love for St. John’s.” During graduation, Marilyn also received Honorary Old Boy status from the Old Boys Alumni Association. Sadly, she lost her battle with cancer one month after graduation. The Excalibur has been hosted on and off campus since 1984 and has been back in Farrand Hall since 2010. Since returning to campus, more than $2M has been raised (net) to benefit every student, teacher, program, and department on campus.
M arilyn Blake and her son Douglas at a formal parade.
St. John’s Northwestern Academies graciously salutes Marilyn F. Blake H1986 for her leadership and foresight that has continued to flourish for 38 years. In that vein, The Excalibur posthumously recognizes Marilyn as a “Knight to Remember.” As someone special who has gone the extra mile to ensure The Excalibur’s success, she will be listed amongst the Knights of the Round Table in the annual Excalibur catalog.
Great Social Atmosphere � Delicious food � Fabulous Silent Auction Items with Mobile Bidding � and More! INDIVIDUAL TICKETS are $90 until April 1 ($105 thereafter). Student tickets are always $65.
Saturday, April 30, 2022 Farrand Hall Gymnasium
THE PLACE TO BE DURING SPRING FAMILIES WEEKEND! The Beacon | SPRING 2022
Contact Cindy Trione, director of donor relations and special events, at (262) 646-7289 or ctrione@sjnacademies.org to volunteer, donate an auction item, and/or become an Excalibur sponsor (benefits included reserved seats, dinner, and more)! Event proceeds benefit every cadet, prep, teacher, program, and department at St. John’s Northwestern Academies! For everything Excalibur, visit www.bidpal.net/excalibur.
St. John’s Northwestern Academies
VOLUME 34, NO. 1 | SPRING 2022
Contributors
CSM Eric David Kayla Davis Michael F. Henn H2016 MG Paul Edwin Lima, U.S. Army (Ret.) Stephen Matz Dave Pederson Greg Prospero Joseph Sevenz H2021 Cindy A. Trione
Photo Credits
Nolan Fritsche 2020 Mike Miller Photography Rich Rochwerger Nicole Rutherford
Board of Trustees
Major General Paul Edwin Lima, Academies President Michael F. Henn H2016, Chairman Joe Giammanco N1970, Vice Chairman Fred Leach S1974, Treasurer Randy Lauer, Secretary Dr. Crain Bliwas N1965, Chairman Emeritus Lee Breitkopf S1973, Trustee Emeritus Debra Fairfield Andrew Filipowski S1968 Michael Hoover S1971, OBAA President Bill Hummel N1968 Joe Lazzara S1969 John Leone H2021 CPT Jason Sharp 2005 Kathy Snodell H2018 Lilah Stangeland H1999 Ricky Tan 1999 Victor Trevino S1958 Carlos Valencia S1972 The Rev. Geoffrey Ward John Wietzel S1964 The Beacon is published by the Advancement Office of St. John’s Northwestern Academies. The editorial staff welcomes your ideas and comments. Please submit your correspondence to ctrione@sjnacademies.org. St. John’s Northwestern is a non-profit educational institution exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Code. Tax ID is 39-0817523. St. John’s Northwestern Academies educates and develops young men and women to be responsible citizens, as well as moral and ethical leaders who are inspired to take advantage of today and tomorrow’s opportunities. We achieve this through our foundational pillars of academic excellence, enriching spiritual and character development, outstanding athletic programs, and premier leader development training in a secure, nurturing, and inclusive environment. St. John’s Northwestern Academies 1101 Genesee St. Delafield WI 53018 (800) 646-3311 sjnacademies.org
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Success of The Rick Leone Challenge Match Campaign Launches the Inaugural Rick Leone Scholars Program
The Rick Leone Challenge Match Campaign launched on March 8, 2021, and successfully raised $3 million. The campaign supported multiple areas including the Rick Leone Scholars program, tuition assistance for other Military Academy cadets, support of athletic programs, and other direct and indirect needs of St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy.
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Rededication & Naming of Stangeland Family Parade Field
Recognizing a legacy of generosity, leadership, and vision, on Thursday, October 14, 2021, the parade field was rededicated and named “Stangeland Family Parade Field” and was symbolized with the addition of a magnificent third gate as its focal point.
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My View A Letter from the Chairman Commencement Weekend 2021 Reunion Weekend 2021 Amid the Pandemic A Season Unmatched AP Program Updates SJN Middle School Academy Enrollment
20 | Military Academy & Prefect Academy 24 | The Heritage Society 26 | Homecoming & Families Weekend 2021 28 | Athletics 30 | Facilities Update Following page 31 2020-2021 Honor Roll of Donors St. John’s Northwestern Academies recognizes donors who gave generous support during the 2021 fiscal year.
32 | OBAA President’s Letter 33 | Alumni News 40 | TAPS Be sure to visit www.sjna.smugmug.com to view and download your favorite photos at no charge!
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OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
My View
Office of the President St. John’s Northwestern Academies
• We successfully launched and exceeded expectations for The Rick Leone Challenge Match Campaign, raising $3M for the Military Academy. • Major facilities and infrastructure upgrades were and continue to be addressed including the Gerber Pool Annex, roof repairs throughout campus, and replacement of new boilers throughout several buildings. • Preliminary work began on the long-anticipated barracks renovation project within Scott Johnston. I am encouraged by the size and scope for all that we were able to achieve in a very short period of time. Yet, there is still much to accomplish over the next several years. Our focus over the next 12 months will remain steadfast on these four areas: I am eager to report that since the release of the most recent distribution of The Beacon last March, St. John’s Northwestern Academies has made significant strides in many key areas to advance our Academies. Through the hard work of the dedicated staff, and the tireless involvement of SJNA’s Board Chair, Mike Henn, we have been able to progress forward on several goals we charted for my first year at SJNA. Outlined below is a brief summary for those successes: • We began the 2021-2022 academic year with 181 students on campus. This is the first increase in starting enrollment in several years and is up from 163 students from the end of the previous year. • Retention of students from last year remained consistently strong at an 80% retention rate. • We effectively implemented cost containment strategies, which provided a net gain within our financial assistance. These measures led to almost 20% net benefit in savings for the Academies.
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• Continue to grow our student body. We have set an aggressive goal beyond 200 students for this upcoming 2022-2023 school year. Additionally, we have raised our retention benchmark to 85%. • Advance our fundraising to exceed high watermarks in the annual funding and launch a new capital campaign. • Complete the first phase of the barracks renovation in Scott Johnston. • Continue to assess and enhance our Resident Life department to match the needs and complexities of an evolving student population. I maintain my optimistic assessment for a bright future! With your support in these key areas, along with the continued efforts of our dedicated faculty and staff, we will achieve the standards of excellence we have set forth. I thank you for your allegiance to SJNA and value your steadfast resolve as we continue onward and upward.
• We made significant gains in the operational improvement within the Academics. Led by BG John Hanley, we were able to increase our AP offerings, realign our academic schedule to maximize 8 classes per day, and provide more robust offerings to the benefit of our students.
Respectfully yours,
• The Annual Fund reached over the $1M milestone for the third consecutive year.
Paul Edwin Lima Major General, U.S. Army (Retired)
The Beacon | SPRING 2022
St. John’s Northwestern Academies
A Letter from the Chairman Michael F. Henn H2016
Dear SJNA Community, I have been privileged to serve our Board for over 17 years, and as Chair since 2019. I am pleased that our Academy is completing this academic year well, and I look forward to the achievement of our goals of operational and financial sustainability. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our dedicated staff led by President Lima and the continuing creative work of former President Stocks with fundraising, our progress has been strong, especially with regard to academics, enrollment, and fundraising. Regarding enrollment, we began the current academic year with 181 students on campus, up from 163 at the end of last year. This was the first increase in enrollment in several years, and along with strong mid-term enrollment, this comprises a good start toward our goal to more than double enrollment over the next four years. We have made significant upgrades in the Academic program with additional AP classes and dual college credit courses, as well as making critically needed renovations to our facilities. We also had great success in basketball and soccer. Thanks to our many active and loyal donors, the Academy has raised critically needed funding over the past two years, including the successful Rick Leone Challenge Match Campaign that raised $3 million in 2021. We still have big challenges ahead, with a need to raise at least another $10 million over the next four years, and are working hard on plans to achieve that goal. At our Board meeting last October, we approved a comprehensive new Strategic Plan that lays out the roadmap for our future. We expect that the execution of this Plan will carry us across the goal
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line in achieving our goals of operational and financial sustainability. We will match this with a new Strategic Plan for our Foundation that we expect will set the stage for substantial long-term fundraising success from a variety of new potential donor groups. In short, onward and upward!!! I feel blessed to be able to work with such a passionate and dedicated staff and such a committed and active Board of Trustees. And, as always, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to our parents, alums, donors, partners, and friends; without whom we cannot succeed. Wishing all the best in the coming year to you and your families, ,
Michael F. Henn H’16 SJNA Board Chairman
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T H U R S D AY, M AY 2 7, 2 0 2 1
Letterman’s Banquet
Cadet Colin Bonaccorsi 2023 attended the Letterman’s Banquet with his parents, Thomas and Catherine Bonaccorsi.
Athletic Director Mike Fink recognized Donnie Austin 2021 and all senior athletes with a special gift.
F R I D AY, M AY 2 8 , 2 0 2 1
Music Performance
Cadet Caitlynn Curtis 2021 performs with The Pipes and Drums of SJNA.
Cadet Eva Lopatniuk- Lopez 2026 and Cadet Sofia Tung 2022 perform with the SJNA Band.
F R I D AY, M AY 2 8 , 2 0 2 1
Class Stone Ceremony
Cadets Mariano Casares Kelleher 2021, Alvaro Obeso Canale 2021, John Carlos Kinsella 2021, and Carlos Aguilar Tarriba 2021 pose for a photo during the Class Stone Ceremony.
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The Beacon | SPRING 2022
The 2021 Class Stone
Xin Lin 2021 was named as the Senior most likely to lead a blameless life. Along with President Lima, he is pictured with his mother, who was traditionally awarded the White Rose.
St. John’s Northwestern Academies
S AT U R D AY, M AY 2 9 , 2 0 2 1
Formal Parade
The SJNMA Color Guard takes to the field for the Formal Parade Honoring Old Boys and Alumni.
Cadet Alvaro Obeso Canale 2021 receives the Harry and Fran Vorys Perseverance Medal (S1943). He is pictured with MG Paul Lima and former Senior Army Instructor LTC James Kebisek H2008.
First Captain Eric Baker 2021 leads the senior class onto the parade field to unite with alumni.
MG Paul Lima congratulates Cadet Gustavo Guerrero Guinea 2021 on his promotion to Cadet Master Sergeant.
Cadet Isabella Griffin 2021 receives the Marilyn Blake Memorial Cup for being a true friend to her fellow cadets and doing her best academically.
Joshua Repsumer 2021 at the formal parade
Commencement Weekend 2 0 21
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S AT U R D AY, M AY 2 9 , 2 0 2 1
Senior Walk
Cadet Arden Prevo 2023 solemnly leads the Final Formation of the Corps and Students / Senior Walk.
Seniors bid a fond farewell to their classmates.
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Commencement Exercises
The 2021 Senior Class proudly processes through the Senior gate for commencement exercises.
SJNA Board Member John Leone H2021 gives the commencement address.
Austin Slaybaugh 2021 receives his diploma from MG Lima.
Cadet Yuxuan Zhou 2021 gives the valedictorian speech.
MG Lima presents a diploma to Cadet John Carlos Kinsella 2021.
Cadet Armando Toledo Quevedo 2021, Cadet Mariano Casares Kelleher 2021, and First Captain Eric Baker 2021
Be sure to visit www.sjna.smugmug.com to view and download your favorite photos at no charge!
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The Beacon | SPRING 2022
St. John’s Northwestern Academies
Class of 2021 College Choices ( A S O F M AY 2 0 2 1 ) Carlos Aguilar Tarriba – Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey Donald Austin – Southwest Minnesota State University Philip Austin – Southwest Minnesota State University Eric Baker – The Citadel Haydn Bensch – Arizona State University
Class Officers Daniel Fairfield, President Mariano Casares Kelleher, Vice President James Regas, Treasurer Carlos Aguilar Tarriba, Secretary Austin Slaybaugh, LA Representative Year–End Senior Awards Carlos Aguilar Tarriba – Elizabeth Ross Smythe Medal, Roger Stangeland St. John’s Class of 1947 Medal, Bold Leader Medal
Mariano Casares Kelleher – St. Edward’s University
Eric Baker – Doctor Delafield Trustee’s Medal, Most Respected Senior, General Douglas MacArthur Foundation Medal
Genaro Castilla Ponce – Hult International Business School
Mariano Casares Kelleher – President’s Medal in Honor of Gen. Douglas MacArthur
Hyunbin Choi – University of California, Davis
Daniel Fairfield – Zelma Garriot Morris Medal
Victor Brownmiller – Azusa Pacific University
Caitlynn Curtis – Gap Year Daniel Fairfield – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Joshua Geibl – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at Waukesha Isabella Griffin – The Citadel Gustavo Guerrero Guinea – Universidad Panamericana Guadalajara Brenden Held – Purdue University Jackson Hitchcock – Michigan State University Lachlan Horwitz – United States Marine Corps John Carlos Kinsella – Undecided Xin Lin – Syracuse University Sylas Littrell – Waukesha County Technical College Joseph Łopatniuk-Lopez – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Isabella Griffin – Marilyn Blake Memorial Cup Brenden Held – Association of Military Colleges & Schools of the United States Medal Lachlan Horwitz – Marion Graves Senior Speech Award
Alvaro Obeso Canale – 3-Sport Letter Winner (Soccer, Swimming, Tennis) Brandin Podziemski – Pattee Brothers Medal (Top Athlete), MVP Basketball; 1st Team All-Conference Basketball; Midwest Player of the Year Basketball (3 years in a row); 1st Team All-State; (7) High School Records Broken: Three-Point Shots Made in a Single Game (9), Three-Point Shots Made in a Season (108), Three-Point Shots Made in a Career (274), Most Points Scored in a Single Game (50), Most Points Scored in a Single Season (974), Most Two-Point Shots Made in a Season (245), Most Points Scored in a Career (2154); Only Basketball Player in State history to Surpass 2000 Points While Playing Varsity for Only Three Years; Earned Top Award in the State When Named Mr. Basketball of the State of Wisconsin; Earned Gatorade Player of the Year Award in Wisconsin; Selected for the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Senior All-Star Basketball Game Joshua Rex – 3-Sport Letter Winner (Raiders, Silver Rifles, Track) Connor Roggensack – 3-Sport Letter Winner (Golf, Raiders, Wrestling)
Alvaro Obeso Canale – Harry & Fran Vorys Perseverance Medal
Brennan Timm – 2nd Team All-Conference Football, 1st Team All-Conference Basketball, 2nd Team All-State, 1000-Point Club Basketball, Played in the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Senior All-Star Basketball Game
Brandin Podziemski – Head of Innovation and Design Exemplary Leadership in Government
Daisun Wagner – WIAA Scholar Athlete, 3-Sport Letter Winner (Basketball, Golf, Soccer)
James Regas – Col. Frank W. Mouso Medal, Alexander Roth Senior Leadership, James T. Regas Senior Medal
137th Corps of Cadets Leadership
Xin Lin – The Order of the White Rose
Briana Simpson – Director of the Leadership Academy Compliance Award
Eric Baker, Battalion Commander Battalion Staff
Austin Mair – Waukesha County Technical College
Austin Slaybaugh – Dean of Student Life’s Student of Distinction Award
Jeremy Mulcahy – Undecided
Armando Toledo Quevedo – Priscilla Rose Medal
Xin Lin, Adjutant S-1
Álvaro Obeso Canale – Universidad Panamericana Guadalajara
Daisun Wagner – Salutatorian
Isabella Griffin, Enrollment Officer S-2
Yuxuan Zhou – Valedictorian
James Regas, Operations Officer S-3
Bravo Company – The Schroeder-Stangeland Cup
Brenden Held, Logistics Officer S-4
Autumn Passaretti – Undecided Gavin Perry – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Brandin Podziemski – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign James Regas – Texas Christian University Joshua Repsumer – Evangel University Joshua Rex – National Guard of the United States Connor Roggensack – Marquette University Isabella Shipley – Ivy Tech Community College Briana Simpson – Concordia University Austin Slaybaugh – Gap Year Brennan Timm – University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Armando Toledo Quevedo – University of Houston Abhiram Vallabhaneni – Loyola University Daisun Wagner – Arizona State University
Senior Athletic Awards Carlos Aguilar Tarriba – Dolly Grey Medal Winner (Top Scholar Athlete), MVP Soccer, 1st Team All-Conference Soccer, 3-Sport Letter Winner (Soccer, Swimming, Tennis) Donald Austin – MVP Football, Midwest Classic All-Conference Recognition, 2nd Team AllConference Baseball, Played in the Wisconsin Football Coaches Senior All-Star Game Philip Austin – 2nd Team All-Conference Football, Played in the Wisconsin Football Coaches Senior All-Star Game Haydn Bensch – Midwest Classic Scholar Athlete, HM All-Conference Basketball
Weiyu Xu – James Cook University
Mariano Casares Kelleher – MVP Silver Rifles
Yuxuan Zhou – University of Pittsburgh
Gustavo Guerrero Guinea – MVP Tennis
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Mariano Casares Kelleher, Executive Officer
Yuxuan Zhou, Academic Officer S-5 Company Commanders Daniel Fairfield, Alpha Armando Toledo Quevedo, Bravo Leadership Academy Student Government Brandin Podziemski, Director of Committee Affairs Prefect Student Cabinet Positions Briana Simpson, Residential Life - Smythe, Health and Wellness, Leadership Academy Organization of Student Activities, Honor Council
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Reunion Weekend 2021 Thank you to all Old Boys/Alumni who joined us for Commencement & Reunion Weekend on May 28-29, 2021! We thoroughly enjoyed having you on campus for all of the festivities. Congratulations to Our Honored Class Years: 1946 - 75 th , 1961 - 60 th , 1971 - 50 th , 1996 - 25 th , 2011 - 10 th Also honored due to 2020’s COVID-19 restrictions: 1945 - 75 th , 1960 - 60 th , 1970 - 50th , 1995 - 25 th , 2010 - 10 th
We regret that we are unable to include all of the many great photos that were taken during Commencement & Reunion Weekend. So be sure to visit www.sjna.smugmug.com to view and download your favorites at no charge!
Front row: Pete Thompson S1971, Jim Duggan H1981, 2021 Distinguished Service Medal Recipient Anita Kopaczewski H2009. Second row: Outgoing OBAA President Chuck Krametbauer S1978, 2021 Honored Old Boy Stephan Lewandowski S1971, unidentified, Joe Giammanco N1970, Greg Van Praag S1972, Pete Waskel S1976, J. C. Fairvalley S1976, Kevin Patrowsky S1970, Incoming OBAA President Michael Hoover S1971, Nate Myers S1974, Tom King S1974, Bill Sanders S1974, Bill Giannetti S1971. Third row: unidentified, Mark Hardwick S1971, John Broman S1971, Lee Breitkopf S1973, Rich Mark S1970, Bob Hessberger S1970, Kirk Langbehn S1978, Jim Hoover S1976, Ray deBruijn S1976, David Grommersch S1971, Gary Wood S1971. Fourth row: Nick Mueller S1978, Sloan Oliver S1973, Dan Cutting S1973, Ed Koch S1971, Jim Trezona N1971, Mike Dayton S1971, Ed Voss S1971, John Thompson S1971.
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The Beacon | SPRING 2022
St. John’s Northwestern Academies
Congratulations on celebrating your 50th class reunion! Congratulations, Ken Philipson S1956, who celebrates his 65th class reunion!
Front row: Michael Hoover S1971, David Grommersch S1971, Ed Koch S1971, Bill Giannetti S1971, Mike Dayton S1971, Stephan Lewandowski S1971, Gary Wood S1971. Second row: Kai Jensen S1971, John Broman S1971, Ed Voss S1971, John Thompson S1971, Jim Trezona N1971.
Congratulations, John Ong N1946, who celebrates his 75th class reunion!
Front row: Mike York S1964, Chuck Staral S1961, Don Robert House S1961. Second row: Bill Ballhorn S1960, John Hankwitz S1960.
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Re u n io n w eekend 2021:
OBAA Awards The following awards were presented during the OBAA Luncheon on Saturday, May 29, 2021.
HONOR E D OL D B OY
DIS T INGUIS HE D S E RV ICE ME DA L
The Honored Old Boy award is presented to an Old Boy/Alum and active member of the Academies who has distinguished himself in his professional and personal life.
The Distinguished Service medal is presented to an active member or Honorary Old Boy who has distinguished themselves through dedication and service to the Academies.
Stephan Lewandowski S1971 Steve Lewandowski, better known to his classmates as Ski, enrolled at the Academy in 1967. A four-year cadet, Ski enjoyed being active in sports, Silver Rifles, and choir with Major Ausland (giving him the opportunity to leave campus and meet girls). Ski’s senior year was particularly busy as he was the Commander of Silver Rifles, Captain of E Co., and Senior Class President. Upon graduation, Ski attended Marquette University where he met his future wife, Joanne. After graduating, Ski and Joanne moved to Michigan to start their new life together. Ski worked for Sherwin Williams in their commercial and industrial coatings division. Fourteen years later, an opportunity arose, and Ski and his wife and children (Steve Jr. and Kerry Rose) moved to Northern Illinois. After 20 years with Sherwin Williams, Ski felt a desire to have his own business. He started his own Real Estate Appraisal Company, covering the greater Chicago area. During this time period, Ski was very active in the OBAA, including being the President of the OBAA for four years.
Anita Kopaczewski H2009 Anitamarie R. Kopaczewski (Tobolski) attended grade school and graduated from St. Josaphat’s Basilica and Parish where she began her faith journey and then went on to graduate from Bay View High School in 1971. Anita married Paul in 1973, and they have lived in New Berlin, Wisconsin, since 1978. Together they have two loving daughters, Melissa and Jessica, two wonderful son-in-law’s, Keith and Derek, and four adorable grandchildren Devin, Austin, Dylan, and Genevieve.
After 25 years of appraising, the decision to retire was made. But he questioned whether to stay in Illinois or move somewhere warm. Staying in one place in retirement did not seem to be the best choice, so the Lewandowski’s decided to sell everything, buy an RV, and just travel and explore the USA. Now, in their seventh year of full-time RV’ing, Ski and Joanne are still going strong, following Willie Nelson’s philosophy of “On the road again, goin’ places that I’ve never been, seein’ things that I may never see again.”
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The Beacon | SPRING 2022
Anita worked as an international documentation specialist for The Heil Co. from 1972-1982. From 1983-1992, she volunteered as a religious education teacher at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in New Berlin. After completing various courses at Milwaukee Technical College and Carroll University, Anita became the executive assistant to the vice president of meat and procurement where she also handled the fresh seafood buying for Kohl’s Food Stores from 1982-2002. When Kohl’s Food Stores left the community, Anita joined the Academy in March 2003 as the administrative assistant to the director of alumni and development. In 2007, she became the office manager of advancement, alumni, and development, and in January 2009, she was promoted to assistant director of alumni. In May 2009 Anita received the Nita Farrand Staff Excellence Award and became an Honorary Old Boy. In February 2016, she assumed the position of director of The Columbarium, and in March 2018 she was promoted to director of alumni to serve the alumni and community of SJNMA. Anita continues to support the alumni and old boys as moderator on several Facebook pages while spreading the good word of the Academy. She is both honored and humbled to receive the Distinguished Service Award from the Old Boys Alumni Association on May 29, 2021.
St. John’s Northwestern Academies
HONOR A RY OL D B OY S Honorary Old Boy status is awarded to individuals who, by their dedication to and involvement with the Academies, has come to appreciate and internalize the ideals of the Academies espoused by all Old Boys. John Leone H2021 John A. Leone is CEO of Bonney Forge Corporation, a multi-national manufacturer of flow control products for the international energy industries. Bonney Forge’s operations are located in Mount Union, Pennsylvania; Houston, Texas; Shanghai, China; and Bergamo, Italy. Mr. Leone began his career in the oil industry in Pawhuska and Maysville, Oklahoma, working as an intern for Texaco during his undergraduate summers at Penn State University. After receiving his degree in petroleum and natural gas engineering in 1956 from Penn State, John joined Mene Grande Oil Company as a field engineer in Cabimas, Venezuela. He was promoted to Production Foreman of the Bolivar Coastal Field and was subsequently elevated to Project Manager of the design and construction of production platforms on Lake Maracaibo. Upon returning to the states, John joined Taylor Forge, a piping systems company, as manager of Application Engineering. Having completed his MBA work at Northern Illinois University, he was named managing director of Gulf & Western’s Energy Products Group in Brussels, Belgium in 1976. In 1980, Mr. Leone returned to Pennsylvania as president of Gulf & Western’s Bonney Forge Division. In 1984, he acquired this valve and piping company from Gulf & Western in a leverage buyout. John Leone is a lifetime member of The SJNA Heritage Society and a member of the SJNA Board of Trustees. His son Rick (deceased) was a 1975 graduate of St. John’s Military Academy and lifetime member of The SJNA Heritage Society.
Ann Schoper H2021 Ann Schoper MPAS, PA-C has a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Notre Dame, attended the Physician Assistant Program at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, and has a master’s degree from the Physician Assistant Program from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She has worked in primary care her entire career of more than 25 years in Neillsville, Wisconsin, and Phoenix, Arizona, and was most recently at the Marquette University Student Health Center in Milwaukee before joining ProHealth Care. Ann was assigned to the SJNA Birk Infirmary in August 2009. She is a strong advocate of health education, which she included often in her interactions with SJNA students. Ann retired in March 2021 after being responsible for the health and wellness of our cadets/students since 2009.
Joseph Sevenz H2021 Joe Sevenz graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education from Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin. His teaching certification includes English, social studies, and physical education. He has taught at various grade levels and in a variety of school settings including parochial, public, and boarding. Joe initially taught at the Academy from 1980 to 1985 and left to spend the next 20 years in business. Upon retirement, he returned to SJNA in 2007 as a barracks manager and eventually became an enrollment counselor and retention officer. In 2020, Joe accepted the role as Dean of Admissions. He has served the Academy for 20 years… and counting.
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CAMPAIG N & SC HOLAR S:
The Rick Leone Challenge Match Campaign Success of The Rick Leone Challenge Match Campaign Launches Inaugural Rick Leone Scholars Program
Mr. Leone congratulates Rick Leone Scholar Bodi Chen 2022.
Initiated by Heritage Society member and Board Trustee, Mr. John Leone, The Rick Leone Challenge Match Campaign launched on March 8, 2021, with an initial goal of raising $2 million based on a matching gift of $1 million from Mr. Leone. Through quick and generous support from its community, St. John’s Northwestern reached the $2 million goal, and Mr. Leone responded with another $500,000 match. This too was greeted with success capping the entire campaign at $3 million. The campaign supported multiple areas including the Rick Leone Scholars program, tuition assistance for other Military
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The Beacon | SPRING 2022
Academy cadets, support of athletic programs, and other direct and indirect needs of St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy. On Saturday, May 29, 2021, in Old Boys Memorial Hall, Mr. Leone had the distinct pleasure of meeting the first cadets of the Rick Leone Scholars program for the 2021-2022 academic year and presenting them with the newly created Rick Leone medal. He was accompanied by two of his daughters, Sue Ann Leone and Jennifer Slayton, and Board Chairman Michael Henn H2016.
Mr. John Leone, president and CEO of Bonney Forge, has been a member of the SJNA Board of Trustees since 2013. He and his family have been generous supporters of SJNA for decades. This campaign was named to honor his son, Rick Leone, who sadly passed away in April 2012. Rick, who graduated from St. John’s Military Academy in 1975, was a stand-out athlete, wellrespected by his coaches, teammates, and military leadership. The Leone Family has truly been a blessing to SJNA, and we are so very grateful for their leadership, inspiration, and continued support.
St. John’s Northwestern Academies
Congratulations to the Inaugural Rick Leone Scholars!
Front (left to right): Vincent Zheng 2022, Sofia Tung 2022, Sophie Zielinski 2023, Bodi Chen 2022. Back: Thien Weeks 2022, Marcus Hagen 2024, Colin Bonaccorsi 2023, Aiden Richards 2025, Maximo Patron 2023. Not pictured: Jeronimo Gonzalez 2023
The Rick Leone Scholars program supports the development of resolute and courageous young cadets by providing tuition assistance and scholarships.
www.sjnacademies.org
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2020- 2021 in Re vie w :
A Look Back to Being “In Person” Amid a Pandemic We opened the 2020-2021 academic year with cautious uncertainty of what would be in store for St. John’s Northwestern Academies.
Prior to its official start, SJNA brought in students and conducted the two-week quarantine process. Students were understanding and followed through with the restrictions. We flowed into the school year with many things not fully the way they used to be. Students experienced no roommates and much less interaction with each other. We were blessed to have in-person learning, and that was great! Then in early October 2020, after all the preparation, we had our first student test positive for COVID-19. Thirteen others were close contacts. The infirmary and SJNA staff planned for this and sprang into action. We utilized the on-campus quarantine and isolation areas. The dining hall staff prepared countless “to-go meals” for those students in isolation. Teachers quickly transitioned to a hybridlearning environment for students in the classroom and those attending virtually. There were learning curves for some of the students, not just with the newly minted rules of quarantine, but also in the virtual environment. Students went into quarantine in a seamless fashion, began attending online courses with their counterparts on “the outside,” and were able to keep up during the transition into and out of quarantine. COVID at SJNA ‘20-’21 30 20 10 0 October
November
December
January
COVID Positive (Isolation)
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February
March
April
Close Contacts (Quarantine)
May
Prior to the mandatory breaks, SJNA put a “COVID-19 lockdown” plan in place to assist in getting the students back home to spend the holidays with their families. The lockdown measures limited student travel from off campus. This allowed them to transition to virtual learning if they wished to stay off campus for the duration of the lockdown. SJNA gave day students the option to stay on campus during the lockdown timeframes, but if a student departed campus during the lockdown, that student needed to stay off campus for the duration. We enacted these lockdown procedures prior to Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks. Both lockdowns were effective, and all students had the opportunity to depart for all mandatory breaks. Following spring break in April, we put a “COVID-19 watch” into place. This protocol allowed us to keep the student body safe after they traveled back to campus from many places throughout the world. During the year, there were some allotments for sports participation so long as the athletes were abiding by the strict Wisconsin Athletic Association (WIAA) COVID-19 protocol. Our Lancer athletes persevered while breaking many all-time records in the process. As the year went on and vaccines were produced, several of our students opted for vaccination. The infirmary staff worked with our SJNA staff to distribute the information to the families. By the end of the academic year, we had 58 students fully vaccinated. St. John’s Northwestern Academies is grateful for everyone’s support during these uncharted times. And we are confident that we have the knowledge, personnel, and experience under our belt as we move through another great year of in-person learning and growth.
St. John’s Northwestern Academies
Podziemski’s 2020-2021 Basketball Campaign: A Season Unmatched Brandin Podziemski 2021 officially solidified the right for his name to be placed among the best to ever wear a jersey for the storied basketball program at St. John’s Northwestern Academies. Standing at 6'5", the senior guard led a Lancers team, which was focused on making a state tournament run during the 2020-2021 season. The Lancers etched a 21-7 record and maintained dreams of that state title run until they fell short to conference rivals, Lake Country Lutheran, in the Division 3 quarterfinal round of tournament play. Podziemski averaged 35.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 4.0 steals during the 2020-2021 season. Milestones and accolades were reached throughout the season as well. On February 9, 2021, Podziemski became the 44th male in state history to reach the 2,000-point mark in a career. Having not played his freshmen year at the varsity level, he became the first player to achieve this milestone in just three years. No less than a month later, Podziemski was named Wisconsin’s Mr. Basketball (named by coaches throughout the state) and later recognized by Gatorade as their 2020-21 Gatorade Wisconsin Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Additionally, he was a three-time First Team All-State honoree and was named the Associated Press State Player of the Year. Beyond basketball, Podziemski maintained a GPA higher than 3.5 throughout his high school career. He served as a peer tutor and was a regular volunteer for youth basketball programs. Podziemski committed to the University of Illinois during the spring of 2021 and joined a very competitive Big 10 basketball program, under the guidance of Coach Brad Underwood. As of this draft for The Beacon, the Illini walked away with a Big 10 Championship, seated #4 in the NCAA tournament, and seemed to have momentum heading into March Madness. Unfortunately, for the team, they fell to Houston in the second round of tournament play. On April 12, 2022, Brandin entered the transfer portal. We are excited to see where his next steps will be and know success will follow wherever he decides to go next year. Those who had the opportunity to watch Brandin over his time at St. John’s Northwestern Academies knew he was on a trajectory for great accomplishments. His work ethic is immeasurable, and he is a true student of the game. There is no doubt that, through his hard work and dedication, Brandin Podziemski cemented his name among the SJNA greats. And the Lancers faithful are looking forward with great anticipation to witness the next accomplishments for this talented young man!
www.sjnacademies.org
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AP Program Updates Advanced Placement Program Revived with Addition of Four Classes
St. John’s Northwestern Academies revived its Advanced Placement program during the 2020-2021 school year with four classes: Computer Science Principles, English Language and Composition, European History, and Physics 1. For the 2021-2022 school year, the Academies added an additional four classes: Chinese Language and Culture, Environmental Science, Human Geography, and Physics 2. These classes represent a wide range of academic subjects, which will provide our student scholars with the opportunity to engage with college-level content. During the first semester of the 2021-2022 school year, students in these classes were assigned a wide array of tasks and engaged with many challenging concepts. These skills and concepts build and spiral throughout the year-long curriculum. During the second semester, AP students continue to learn
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the new content of their particular course in addition to revisiting test-taking strategies and study skills learned during the first semester that will be essential for the successful completion of the AP exams in May. An overview of the four new classes this year: In the AP Chinese class, students studied in an immersive language environment, which provided them the opportunity to explore Chinese culture and improve their ability to communicate in three modes of communication, including interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational. AP Human Geography students spent the first semester studying issues surrounding the concepts of physical geography, population and migration, culture, and political geography. During the second
semester, they will examine agriculture, urban geography, and development and industrialization. The AP Environmental Science curriculum is centered around four big ideas including energy transfer, interactions between Earth systems, interactions between different species and the environment, and sustainability. This class is interdisciplinary and embraces topics from geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, and geography. Students in AP Physics 2 continue their studies of the laws that govern the physical universe, consisting of motion, energy, electricity, and magnetism. AP Physics 2 emphasizes the study of fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, and quantum mechanics. This class relies heavily on the use of algebra, and is a good example of how closely related STEM subjects are.
St. John’s Northwestern Academies
St. John’s Northwestern Middle School Academy In May 2021, St. John’s Northwestern Academies announced their plans to launch a new Middle School Academy (MSA). SJNA has offered 7th and 8th grade education for many years. Traditionally, these grades were part of the Military Academy. In addition to the introduction of the Leadership Academy in 2020, SJNA saw a need to broaden the Middle School experience, establish an MSA athletic program to compete with other middle schools, and advance its own academic space and identity. The 2022-2023 academic year will mark a new beginning with the inclusion of 6th grade students. This expansion will allow the Academies to host a full middle school, creating a broader scope of development opportunities for students to maximize their potential.
Lindsey Lopez
In March 2022, Mrs. Lindsey Lopez was named as the 6th-grade teacher. “I am so excited to be a part of the sixth grade at St. John’s Northwestern Academies! My passion is teaching middle schoolers. It is an age of learning responsibility, the exploration of interests, and the formation of the person they will be come. I am honored to join them on this journey,” said Lopez. The 6th-8th grade Middle Schoolers, comprised of both Prefect and Military students, will attend classes together on a special floor in Stangeland Hall dedicated exclusively for the Middle School Academy. Middle School Dean Jon Pickelmann said, “SJNA provides a structured, nurturing environment that empowers our students to really focus on what’s important.” All Middle School Academy students will study English, mathematics, science, history, physical education, leader development, and an elective in fine arts, foreign language, or technology. Self-awareness, empathy, teamwork, and responsible decisionmaking are just some of the main themes of our proprietary middle school curriculum. Project based learning and local field trips will play a significant role in increasing interest and engagement for the middle school experience.
Dean Jon Pickelmann
www.sjnacademies.org
St. John’s Northwestern Middle School Academy educates and transforms boys and girls, through sound educational practices, to be relevant and inclusive learners, and develops their knowledge, critical thinking skills, and character necessary to succeed in high school while preparing them tobe responsible citizens. For more information, visit www.sjnacademies.org.
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The Road to 400 Students at SJNA The 2021-2022 academic year marked the first time St. John’s Northwestern Academies saw an increase in enrollment numbers since 2016. With Mr. Joe Sevenz serving as the Dean of Enrollment, an invigorated emphasis on digital marketing took center stage as the pandemic continued into its second academic year. The Academies opened in the fall with 181 students, and midterm enrollment welcomed 13 new students. MG Lima has charted a bold course for SJNA over the next four years. For the 2022-2023 academic year, the enrollment goal has been set at 244 students with an overall goal of 400 in 2025. This will require an estimated 86% retention rate and an increase of 50+ new students from the preceding year. With such an aggressive approach, the appropriate question is how SJNA will achieve this type of growth. Mr. Sevenz has provided three areas of focus (summarized in Three R’s).
The First R: RECRUITMENT
Marketing drives recruitment – digital, print, radio, TV, and word of mouth. The goal of all this marketing? Over the next three years, add at least 200 new students to our academies. We have a wonderful story to share. We have history, tradition, and ritual bound together with cultural diversity, ethnic acceptance, and academic achievement. We offer an oasis of our four core values of accountability, integrity, respect, and selfless service. We have created a marketing plan designed to tell our story to families looking to improve their children’s lives.
The Second R: RETENTION
The next task after bringing in 200 new students? Retain 200 of our current students over the next three years. Adding 200 new students to 200 returning students gets us to our goal of 400 young people on our campus over the next three years! Culture, climate, and opportunities determine retention. We continue working toward a living environment where students, staff, and faculty feel secure, nurtured, and included. We have designed additional leadership and training courses focusing on developing a culture and climate marked by sound judgement and best practices. We have expanded social and athletic opportunities by increasing our weekend off-campus activities, and we have boosted our sport offerings to meet the many interests of our students.
The Third R: REFERRALS
The third R links recruitment and retention into an important act – refer a friend, neighbor, or family member to SJNA. A personal referral coming from a current student, an alumnus, or a fellow parent makes for the strongest possible endorsement. No one has developed a marketing message to replace a personal endorsement. We have put in place a very popular REFERRAL PROGRAM whereby both the referring family of a current student and the referred family of the incoming student have $1,000 credited into each student’s account. The students may spend their $1,000 at the Campus Store or Mouso Hall to purchase additional
clothing, school supplies, gifts, or food and snacks.
If you have any RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, or REFERRAL ideas, please share them with our enrollment department at (262) 646-7199, (800) 752-2388, or admissions@sjnacademies.org!
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St. John’s Northwestern Academies
Wilkins Family Testimonial Dear SJNMA Leadership/Faculty/Clergy/Staff: Our family is beyond grateful for all that each one of you gave in your efforts to welcome families during Families Weekend back in October. We not only felt like the “red carpet was rolled out” but also felt an instant connection to staff, students, and other families by the atmosphere each one of you were integral in creating that weekend. In the two short months that our son had been a student at SJNMA this school year, we felt more a part of the SJNMA community than we ever did with our son’s previous school in 2.5 years! We left Delafield feeling like we were a part of something special and so thankful that our son is benefiting from the exceptional education and training that SJNMA offers. What you are providing is not just a superior education but also the training-up of men and women who will leave as leaders, serving in their respective communities. It is a unique and worthy mission that you have each signed up for in working for SJNMA. We can say that your hard work truly pays off in the results that we have seen in our son.
Before the start of his first year at SJNMA, Josh Wilkins 2022 successfully completed Raider School.
Reflecting back on the Families Weekend and the time that went into the planning of the parades, meals, Senior ceremony, church service, conferences, athletic events, and family activities was not only noticed but also very much appreciated by our family. Every adult on campus (from staff to groundskeeping to cadet store to cafeteria) was so professional, friendly, and put their best foot forward. We were also impressed by the student body...greeting us with eye contact, confidence, and smiles; offering help; and engaging in conversation. Wow! We are beyond impressed with the work being done at SJNMA. Each adult and student leader is visibly committed to ensuring that the cadets and prefects who pass through your doors daily are held to accountability; are expected to give their best effort; and are being pushed to “rise to the top!” We can speak to that culture of success, leadership, and maturity by how we have witnessed our son transform in the few months he has been a student at SJNMA. We couldn’t be happier and prouder! To see your own child excel, get involved, and shine after having been in an environment where mediocrity and anonymity was acceptable is the best gift in the world! SJNMA is the best thing that has happened in our son’s life. Thank you for doing what you do every day to make a difference in the lives of each SJNMA student. God bless your efforts! With immense appreciation, Karla and Forrest Wilkins
Josh, age 2 ½
www.sjnacademies.org
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MILITARY ACADEMY
Pablo Lopez Cordova Appointed First Captain at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy First Captain Pablo Lopez Cordova 2022, the son of Alfonso Lopez and Erna Cordova of Mexico City, joined SJNMA in the fall of 2018 as a Freshman in Bravo Company. Here is his story. “My name is Pablo Lopez Cordova, and I am the First Captain of the 138th Corps of Cadets. I arrived at St. John’s Northwestern as a freshman in the summer of 2018 for the Raider’s School Program. As I came in on my first day, I saw the castle-like buildings surrounding me and felt like I was walking through a middle-age fortress. I saw a group of people jogging towards me, and they were chanting and repeating the words of the person commanding with a tone of confidence and strength. They were wearing camouflage and black shirts with the inscription “Raiders” in yellow, and every single one of them was carrying a huge green backpack. I followed the group until the commander ordered “halt,” and suddenly they stopped and screamed “RAIDERS” at the top of their lungs. After watching this, my body shivered. I was only a 16-year-old kid from another country that was about to start a completely new chapter in my life. I could feel the goosebumps on my skin because of all the mixed feelings I was experiencing. I felt the uncertainty and excitement of starting a new adventure. When my mother arrived, we entered the building, and I remember walking through those hallways for the first time. Packed on the walls, I saw all the trophies, the black and white pictures of the formations and cadets in their uniforms looking sharp, and the diplomas and recognitions. I never imagined I would call this place home for the next four years. I never dreamed I would create the strongest bonds and the best friends I ever had at this Academy. I aspire to graduate High School with a humanities diploma and, like my father, pursue a law degree at New York University or the University of Wisconsin-Madison followed by a major in international law I am delighted to represent the student body of St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy, and I am confident that this year will be full of success.”
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St. John’s Northwestern Academies
Prefect Academy
John Divane Elected Head Prefect at St. John’s Northwestern Prefect Academy Head Prefect John Divane 2022, the son of Michael and Maria Divane of Chicago, Illinois, joined SJNA in January 2021. At the end of the 2021 summer and upon completion of the SJNA Leadership Institute, he was appointed to the position of Head Prefect for the SJNA Prefect Academy’s 2021-2022 academic year. Here is his story. “I arrived at St. John’s Northwestern last January hoping to find a school where I could work on myself mentally and physically. After struggling at my last school, it was a sacrifice for my parents to send me here. My mindset going in was that I wanted to make the most of the opportunity I was given. I was greeted by a cadet with a shaved head as I wondered what I was about to get into. After moving into my room, I walked into the second-floor lounge of DeKoven and was surprised by prefect preps sitting in the lounge all listening to music and talking to each other. I quickly realized that I fit right in with the guys and started to create what would turn into some of my closest friendships. A few weeks after, Major General and Mrs. Lima invited all the midterm students to the President’s house for a pizza party. We sat in the dining room talking to each other and getting to know where we were all from. MG Lima started to explain to us what St. John’s Northwestern is about and what the school stands for. He started talking about all the successful people who have gone through here and the significant things they have done around the world. I sat there wondering if all these people were at some point in the position that I am and asked myself what is stopping me from creating a legacy on this campus in the year and a half I have here. During the last two summers, I created a landscaping company and ran my own basketball camp. I hope to continue to do that in an entrepreneurship program in college. I am extremely happy with the way I have progressed as a person at this school.”
www.sjnacademies.org
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rs. Lilah Stangeland with other members of M the SJNA Board of Trustees
Rededication & Naming of the Stangeland Family Parade Field Thursday, October 14, 2021, marked a historic occasion at St. John’s Northwestern Academies. Recognizing a legacy of generosity, leadership, and vision, the parade field was rededicated and named “Stangeland Family Parade Field” and was symbolized with the addition of a magnificent third gate as its focal point. Board members, distinguished guests, faculty, staff, students, and friends assembled along Smythe Lane to honor the Stangeland family for their unwavering dedication that selflessly transcends decades. Stephen Matz, dean advancement, emceed the event and took a moment to speak directly to the students. “This event honors the Stangeland family’s commitment to a mission that serves you,” he said. “And once you fully understand what it means to invest in others’ potential, it will provide you with a guiding principle that will carry light to generations to come.”
Board Chairman and long-time friend of the Stangeland family, Michael Henn, formally rededicated the parade field and presented Mrs. Lilah Stangeland with a framed replica of the plaque that is permanently affixed to the new gate. The plaque reads, “Stangeland Family Parade Field: In honor and recognition of their unparalleled lifetime commitment and support to St. John’s Northwestern. May all who gather here know of Roger S’47 and Lilah H’99 Stangeland’s generous spirit and whose impact will benefit generations to come.” The momentous occasion was concluded with a performance of “Amici” by the SJNA Pipes & Drums followed by a ceremonial ribbon cutting.
“ I could not have been more gratified to lead the ceremony for the dedication of the Stangeland Gate in honor of Roger and Lilah Stangeland and their family. The Stangelands are the biggest benefactor in the Academy’s history, but more than that, they are my dearest friends.” — Michael Henn H’16
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St. John’s Northwestern Academies
The Stangeland Story Mr. Roger Stangeland graduated from St. John’s Military Academy in 1947 and married Lilah in 1950. “I got a terrific education here,” Roger would proudly state. He wanted other students to gain as much as he did from the Academy, gifting forward educational opportunities for entire generations of youth. Roger was described as an astute entrepreneur with greater concern for the team than the individual. He attributed his considerable leadership skills to his education and experience at the Academy. Known as a businessman, civic leader, sportsman, philanthropist, benefactor and great father; he dedicated his leadership toward many significant institutional advances of the time, including the merger of St. John’s Military Academy and Northwestern Military & Naval Academy.
Mrs. Lilah Stangeland and family perpetuate Roger’s keen fondness for his high school through their own roles. Mrs. Stangeland currently serves as one of the longest tenured Board of Trustee members and is considered by many to be the matriarch of the school. The Stangeland family’s generous gifts have contributed enormously to vibrant campus life at SJNA. Roger and Lilah’s commitment to SJNA echoes through each hall on campus. Through Roger’s dedication to his beloved alma mater and Lilah’s strong belief in the Academies’ mission and committed leadership, the Stangeland family is the most generous donor in SJNA history.
The Herald Trumpets open the momentous occasion.
MG Lima personally thanks the Stangeland family for their notable support.
Board Chairman, Michael Henn, presents the dedication plaque (replica) to Mrs. Lilah Stangeland.
Mrs. Lilah Stangeland and her children, Cyndi Olsen (second to left with her husband David) and Brad Stangeland, mark the occasion with the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon.
Mrs. Lilah Stangeland between her sisters, Mary Lou Lyons (left) and Annie Petersen (right) and her niece, Debbie Lyons-Wright (far right) and Debbie’s husband Jay Wright (far left).
Symbolizing a legacy of generosity, leadership, and vision, this magnificent gate is the focal point of the Stangeland Family Parade Field.
www.sjnacademies.org
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The Heritage Society “The cadets and preps of St. John’s Northwestern Academies are so very grateful for the experiences made here through YOUR support.” – Cadet Sofia Tung 2022, Emcee After last year’s virtual event, St. John’s Northwestern was delighted to host the annual gathering of The Heritage Society back on campus this past fall! Following the historic rededication and naming of the Stangeland Family Parade Field on the evening of October 14, 2021, Heritage Society members and others collected in Welles Dining Hall. Sponsored by Heritage Society member and parent Kathy Goggins, social hour was well attended and guests enjoyed delicious appetizers, cocktails, and friendship.
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President MG Paul E. Lima, U.S. Army (Ret.), provided remarks before introducing First Captain Pablo Lopez 2023 and Head Prefect John Divane 2023, who delivered speeches about their SJNA experiences. Next, Dean of Advancement Stephen Matz presented the new Heritage Society brochure and realignment of The Heritage Society that now incorporates the Leaders Circle to recognize annual giving; the Loyalty Circle to recognize lifetime giving; and the Legacy Circle to recognize planned giving. After each Circle was described, members who were present were recognized respectively.
our newest members who were present (Anthony Giammanco S1980 and Randall Giammanco S1980). Board Chair Henn and MG Lima presented each with The Heritage Society medal and a certificate. Board Chair Henn concluded the evening with the presentation of the Chairman’s Distinguished Service Medal that was awarded to former Parents Club President Debra Fairfield. Debra has gone above and beyond with her work as Parents Club President and past and present assistance with enrollment efforts and the Academies overall. She was recently appointed to the Board of Trustees and serves on the Academic and Student Life committees. Debra and her husband Neil have three children. Their son, Daniel, graduated from SJNMA in 2021.
After the Herald Trumpets announced dinner, the SJNA Color Guard posted the colors, and Cadets Sean Harres 2023 and Cody Strang 2023 sang the National Anthem. A delicious dinner was sponsored by Heritage Society members Chairman Michael H2016 and Kim Henn and prepared by our dining service, Flik.
Cindy Trione, director of donor relations and special events, came to the podium to recognize Heritage Society members present who had upgraded to a new level of membership (Joe and Linda Giammanco N1970; Michael H2016 and Kim Henn; and Randy and Wendi Lauer) and to welcome
The Academies would like to thank ALL of our Heritage Society members for your selfless generosity. With your steadfast leadership, we look ahead with great confidence.
Parents Scott and Angila Allen (left) are members of the Leaders Circle. Their daughter, Ellie, graduated from SJNMA in 2019. President Emeritus Tom and Marie Stocks are members of the Leaders Circle and Legacy Circle.
Loyalty Circle and Leaders Circle member Kathy Goggins is pictured with her guest, Brian Glaessner. Kathy has two sons who graduated from SJNMA (Cody 2016 and Thad 2018).
Leaders Circle members Greg and Susan Van Praag S1972 (left) and VADM Dirk Debbink, Chairman and CEO of MSI General, pose for a photo during social hour.
Pictured with MG Lima and Board Chair Henn (left), Joe and Linda Giammanco N1970 were upgraded from the Kemper level to the DeKoven level of the Loyalty Circle. Joe and Linda are also members of the Leaders Circle, and Joe serves on the Academies’ Board of Trustees.
Parents Randy and Wend Lauer (middle) were upgraded to the Farrand level of the Loyalty Circle. Randy serves on the Academies’ Board of Trustees. Their sons Charlie, Ted, and Matt all attended SJNMA, and Charlie graduated in 2011. After graduation, Charlie went on to the United States Naval Academy and is currently a Captain in the United States Marine Corps.
Leaders Circle member Debra Fairfield received the Chairman’s Distinguished Service Medal from Board Chair Henn. She is pictured here with her son, Daniel 2021, during social hour.
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St. John’s Northwestern Academies
Smythe ( $ 2 5, 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 / D i a m o n d C l u s t e r )
Born in 1862, a young Rev. Sidney T. Smythe founded St. John’s Military Academy on September 11, 1884. For all practical purposes, he was the school faculty, administration, athletic staff, chaplain, public relations man, and fundraiser. Rev. Smythe dedicated the rest of his life to building the Academy, with all buildings tied together in English Gothic style, including heavy stone construction and battlements to resemble European castles. Smythe exercised his dynamic personality for 39 years as Headmaster by inspiring, guiding, and instilling a strong sense of pride in his cadets.
Davidson ( $10 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 / D i a m o n d )
Born in 1838, Harlan Page Davidson founded Northwestern Military Academy on September 19, 1888, when he was 50 years old. A man of tremendous drive and resilience, Harlan Davidson gave the school its character and established its purpose. He was the school’s superintendent as well as a teacher of civics and psychology. Before he left Northwestern in 1911, Davidson moved his beloved school from Highland Park to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
Stangeland ( $ 5, 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 / R u b y C l u s t e r )
Roger Stangeland graduated from SJMA in 1947 and married Lilah in 1950. Roger was described as an astute entrepreneur with greater concern for the team than the individual. He dedicated his leadership toward many significant institutional advances of the time, including the merger of SJMA and NMNA. Mrs. Lilah Stangeland and family perpetuate Roger’s keen fondness for his high school through their own roles. Mrs. Stangeland currently serves as one of the longest tenured Board of Trustee members and is considered by many to be the matriarch of the school. Through Roger’s dedication to his beloved alma mater and Lilah’s strong belief in the Academy’s mission and committed leadership, the Stangeland family is the most generous donor in SJNA history. The Stangeland family was the first donor to ever reach the $5MM milestone.
Noble ( $1, 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 / R u b y )
Sam and Ed Noble are graduates of St. John’s Military Academy. Their father, Lloyd, founded The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation in 1945 (named in honor of Lloyd’s father). Sam was Honored Old Boy in 1972 and received the Academy’s Distinguished Service Award in 1992. Ed served on the Academy Board of Trustees and was Honored Old Boy in 1984. The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation has maintained a charitable relationship with the Academies for decades, donating over $5.3 million since 1962. The Noble family was the first donor to ever reach the $1MM milestone.
www.sjnacademies.org
Jacobson ($500,000 / Sapphire Cluster)
James Jacobson served NMNA for thirty years (1942-1972) as Assistant Superintendent, Superintendent, Headmaster, Rector, and President and Treasurer of the legal corporation. At the end of his career, it was noted that “he brought to his task a patent honesty and integrity which impressed all who came into contact with him.”
DeKoven ($250,000 / Sapphire)
In 1858, the schoolhouse served as an Episcopal college, St. John’s Hall, which was founded by James DeKoven who was Sidney T. Smythe’s mentor. St. John’s Hall merged with another college, but Smythe knew DeKoven’s plans for St. John’s deserved a second chance. Thus, he began to turn it into a lasting monument to his mentor.
Farrand ( $10 0 , 0 0 0 / E m e r a l d C l u s t e r )
General Roy Farrand S1894 served as Academy President from 1923-1961. A decorated service man, Farrand served as a Colonel and later attained the rank of Brigadier General in the Wisconsin National Guard. General Farrand is credited with guiding the Academy through a period of steady expansion and progress for 38 years.
Kemper ($50,000 / Emerald)
Jackson Kemper can loosely be defined as the “Grandfather of St. John’s Military Academy” through his relationship with James DeKoven and key efforts in founding the Nashotah House and Racine College.
Congratulations to our newest Heritage Society members and to those who upgraded to a new level of membership! LOYALTY CIRCLE INDUCTEES Jacobson Level Hendricks Family Foundation Fa r r a n d L e v e l Anthony Giammanco S1980 Randall Giammanco S1980 James Regas 2021 LOYALTY CIRCLE UPGRADES Jacobson Level Ken and Nancy Woodrow DeKoven Level Michael H2016 and Kim Henn Fa r r a n d L e v e l Randy and Wendi Lauer Kemper Level Joe and Linda Giammanco N1970
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Justin Lindstedt 2022 enters the field with his parents, Bill Lindstedt and Angie Lewis, on Friday, October 15.
Akio Kasuga Fukuda 2023 receives his saber from his mother and MG Lima at the Senior Ring/Sword & Saber Ceremony on Sunday, October 17.
Cadets Kara Doerr 2024 and Sean Harres 2023 enjoying Fall Fest on Saturday, October 16.
Charlie Company Commander Payton Varghese 2022 at the Senior Ring/Sword & Saber Ceremony on Sunday, October 17
The battalion staff and color guard during the formal parade on Sunday, October 17 26
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Bravo Company Commander Gabriel Fernandez Garcia Ramos 2022 and his mother, Marcela Garcia Ramos, during the formal parade on Sunday, October 17 St. John’s Northwestern Academies
Homecoming & Fall Families Weekend 2 0 21
Thank you to everyone who joined us October 14-17, 2021, to make Homecoming & Families Weekend a huge success! The weekend’s events kicked off with a great turnout for the Parents Club Golf Outing on the morning of Friday, October 15. Despite Friday night’s football game having to change to a 3:00 p.m. start time (and a loss by our Lancers football team), the tent was full of fun, food, and friendship at the Friday Night Post-Game Celebration. Courtesy of Tanya’s Food Truck, Crazy Taco, Flyin’ V’s BBQ, and SteelTankBrewing Co.; alumni, students, families, and friends enjoyed food and beverages throughout the evening as they looked forward to having their winning raffle ticket drawn. Greg Van Pragg S1972 was the winner of the 50/50 raffle where proceeds went to the 2022 Senior Class. Congratulations, Greg! And thank you for donating it back! SFC Mike Trione won the 22” Briggs & Stratton snow blower, and several other fantastic raffles were awarded to lucky ticket holders to complete the evening. Saturday was a crisp, beautiful morning for The Back Nine Golf Outing that benefited the Raiders. Presented by Ricky & Grace Tan 1999, a total of 20 golfers came out for breakfast and a morning of golf, including alums Ray deBruijn S1976 and Jim Hoover S1976 and several parents and students. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped us raise more than $6,500 for the Raiders!
www.sjnacademies.org
It was so great to see such a fantastic turnout for Fall Fest and the delicious OBAA Pig & Chicken Roast on Saturday afternoon! Outside, the high winds didn’t stop students and other youngsters from playing games and running through the inflatable obstacle course. Across the way, more than 20 teams participated in the inaugural SJNA Bags Tournament! It was a double elimination tournament and after many fun and strategic games, Raiders coaches Mike Trione and Zach Spreitzer proudly took 1st place. Outside the tent, folks also enjoyed the sweet taste of Jay J’s Kettle Corn! And inside the tent was even more delicious food coupled by the festive entertainment of Ben Harold and Throwback Stereo. Alumni, students, and families had many delicacies to choose from (caramel apples, walking tacos, corn dogs, nachos, and chili to name a few) including the traditional OBAA Pig & Chicken Roast. We are so grateful to everyone who came out for Fall Fest - the tent was full, the lines were long, and the fun was apparent! On Sunday, students and their families gathered for the time-honored Senior Ring/Sword & Saber Ceremony followed by a formal parade. Thank you again to everyone who joined us for this great weekend and all the excitement this time of year brings!
Thank you to all of our generous sponsors of 2021’s Homecoming & Families Weekend! THE HERITAGE SOCIETY DINNER, OCT 14 Cocktail Hour Kathy Goggins - Parent Dinner Michael H2016 & Kim Henn - Board Chairman
PARENTS CLUB GOLF OUTING, OCT 15 Allan Integrated Control Systems, Inc. David and Amy Bayer Gina Dingman East Troy House Forty’s Remodeling Service The Garden Hoe James R. Taylor & Sons, Inc Lake Beulah Grill, LLC Warren & Mary † Marik S1963 Sabyasachi and Sarah Sengupta Lloyd Sineni and Charles Dimick Adam Smalley Chad and Carrie Wales Walk of Terror Zinns Mercantile, LLC
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, OCT 15
Lights Frank & Kathi Mungo S1983 Food & Beverage Court Randy & Wendi Lauer - Parents; Trustee
THE BACK NINE GOLF OUTING, OCT 16
Presented by Ricky & Grace Tan 1999 - Trustee Hole Sponsors Neil & Debra Fairfield - Parents; Trustee John & Sarah Hamer - Parents Homes by Sebold The Lancer News Network and Vocal-Pro Voice Talent Stephen & Kelly Matz - SJNA Staff Kirsten & John O’Quinn - Parents The Otto Family (Weeks) Brian & Angela Rabbitt - Parents Sebold Capital Wealth Management Brian & Kellyn Scarberry - Parents SSG Zachary Spreitzer - Raiders Assistant Coach SFC Michael Trione - Raiders Coach
FALL FEST, OCT 16
Tent Roger S1947 & Lilah H1999 Stangeland - Trustee Stage 3 Fish Entertainment Food & Beverage Court Randy & Wendi Lauer - Parents; Trustee Other Cash Donation Neil & Debra Fairfield - Parents; Trustee Be sure to visit www.sjna.smugmug.com to view and download your favorite photos at no charge!
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2021 Soccer Season A Huge Success! The St. John’s Northwestern Academies Lancers soccer team had a tremendous season! Great words to hear, but it did not come easy. To help the players and coaches, the soccer program (which co-ops with Chesterton Academy of Milwaukee) has three standards that everyone holds each other to: Team, Commitment, and Communication. The words sound simple enough; however, when there is about a 90% turnover rate from the previous year, these words can prove difficult. Keeping the focus on the standards, we approached every game with confidence leading to an overall record of 14-2-1 and a 5-1 record in conference (half game out of first place). Because of the success of the regular season, we received the Number 1 seed in Sectional 3 for the division 4 WIAA state tournament. This ranking is decided by the coaches of the sectional. The number 1 seed gave us the
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The Beacon | SPRING 2022
home field advantage, and that proved to be a surprising boost. The home crowds at SJN were the largest and loudest in a long time. The student body was very well represented, and this had a large impact on the outcome of the games. The team was able to ride the momentum, winning our first regional title in over ten years and winning the school’s first-ever Soccer WIAA Sectional title with a visit to the state semifinal game. Unfortunately, we came up a little short, losing to the eventual state champions, but we fought in the last game like we did all year. We never took anything for granted, and we are very thankful for our opportunities and our successes. The varsity team started two seniors, eight juniors, and a freshman, so the future looks bright!
St. John’s Northwestern/Chesterton Varsity Soccer Team 2021 JoseMaria Cota 2023 | Defence | #12 Jonny Dorrow 2022 | Goalie | #1 Luca Goldring 2024 | Halfback | #14 Emilio Gonzalaz 2023 | Forward | #14 Santiago Guerrero 2023 | Defence | #9 Hunter Hopwood (Freshman) | Halfback | #10 Akio Kasuga 2023 | Halfback | #16 Caden Malby 2023 | Halfback | #2 Jose Pablos 2023 | Defence | #8 Josh Pandl 2022 | Forward | #23 Ramiro Perez 2023 | Halfback | #6 Joe Schinner 2022 | Forward | #7 Sam Schrieber 2023 | Defence | #19 David Schroettner 2025 | Halfback | #20 Noah Schultz 2023 | Forward | #11 Rafael Yan 2023 | Defence | #3 Gabriel Zignego 2023 | Halfback | #17 Greg Prospero - Head Coach Dave Burkle - Assistant Coach St. John’s Northwestern
Chesterton
St. John’s Northwestern Academies
Raider Up! St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy’s JROTC Raider team had a great season this year that included two overall first place wins! Led by head coach SFC Mike Trione and assistant coach SSG Zachary Spreitzer, the Raider season began with Raider School on August 16, 2021. Designed to challenge the mind and body as well as develop team building, a total of 62 participants arrived for Raider School to stretch their physical, emotional, and mental limits by operating outside their normal comfort zone. Participants were expected to accomplish 3K, 5K, 6K, 8K, and 10K ruck marches/runs, complete a 5-mile run for time, conduct the obstacle course individually as well as in teams, and many other activities. They also built confidence during rappel tower training. Above all, they learned how to work as a team. By the end of the 8-day school, 58 participants graduated and earned the Raiders tab. At the beginning of the academic year, students who chose Raiders as their fall sport began regular after-school practices. They repeatedly conducted rope bridging, runs, and all other events that they would encounter at an actual Raider competition, including tire flips, litter carries, log carries, and canoe carries. The “best of the best” were selected by SFC Trione to be on the Raider Challenge Team to compete in a total of three meets followed by the JROTC Raider National Championships in Molena, Georgia. They finished FIRST overall in two of the meets and third in the other, bringing home a number of trophies. SFC Trione said, “This season we had many first-time Raider Challenge members who gained a great deal of experience and knowledge from the veteran Raiders. They put in many hours of preparation and represented the school extremely well.” Congratulations on a great season, Raiders! Raider School is designed to give young men and women in grades 7-12 the opportunity to expand their knowledge, self-confidence, and develop themselves both individually and as a member of a team. Come discover what you can achieve at Raider School (August 6-14, 2022)! www.sjnacademies.org/summer
1st Place Overall at Leavenworth, Kansas
Raider Challenge Team Members: Inigo Banos 2022 Bodi Chen 2022 Marco Diaz Pratt 2024 Gabriel Fernandez 2022 Jeronimo Gonzalez 2023 Dillon Hamer 2024 Pablo Lopez 2022, Raider Commander Liam MacDonald 2023 Timothy O’Quinn 2023 Arden Prevo 2023 Caleb Rabbitt 2024 Declan Sebold 2022 Thien Weeks 2022
September 18, 2021 | Leavenworth, KS
1st Place Overall out of 36 Competing Teams 1st Cross Country Rescue 1st Obstacle Course 1st Physical Team Test 1st Rope Bridge 1st Tire Flip 3rd 5K Run 3rd Gauntlet 1st Ultimate Raider: Thien Weeks 2022
September 25, 2021 | Sedalia, MO
3rd Place Overall out of 22 Competing Teams 2nd 1-Mile Ruck Run 3rd 5K Run 3rd Biathlon 3rd Gauntlet 3rd Physical Team Test
October 23, 2021 | Mexico, MO
1st Place Overall out of 16 Competing Teams 1st 5K Run 1st Obstacle course 1st Physical Team Test 1st Rope Bridge 4th Cross Country Rescue
November 6-7, 2021 | Molena, GA JROTC Raider National Championships 16th Place in the Male Division out of 30 Competing Teams
1st Place Overall at Mexico Military Academy in Mexico, Missouri www.sjnacademies.org
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Facilities Update The campus at St. John’s Northwestern Academies is unlike any other area in the state of Wisconsin. Differing from many other nearby educational institutions, SJNA is a conglomerate of buildings and grounds that remain much like they were when built throughout the Academies’ 138-year existence. A person today can literally see the exact same landscape or building, depending on where they stand, that a St. John’s Military Academy cadet or instructor saw in August of 1945 as the Corps of Cadets celebrated the end of World War II. While faculty and staff are all very fortunate to have the opportunity to live and work in a virtual “time machine,” the buildings and grounds themselves continue to age. This requires good stewardship of our beautiful campus, but more importantly it requires those in the Facilities and Grounds Department to be diligent in their work, ensuring the maintenance and upkeep of campus is their top priority. You can be assured that this is no small task and requires both hard work and financial commitment.
BEFORE
Over the past year, the Board of Trustees and Academy President, MG Paul Lima, have provided resources toward the infrastructural needs of SJNA. These updates include the installation of new and massive hot water heaters within multiple buildings, refurbishment and replacement of heating boilers, restoration of deteriorating exterior walls, repairs to leaky roofs, and more. One of the largest projects included upgrades to the Gerber Pool with majority of the equipment and machinery that allows us to have a world-class indoor pool either being completely replaced or repaired. Many witnessed a relatively long period in which the pool was completely closed for use. During that time, the pool was just a big and empty tiled hole in the ground. In fact, the loss of the boilers and equipment also caused the closing of the entire Gerber Pool Annex (beyond the pool). However, following major work and renovations to the water treatment and heating system of the building, SJNA students are now able to once again enjoy use of the entire building and a refreshing swim in the pool!
AFTER B efore and after photos of Old Boys Memorial Hall
As referenced above, many of the roofs throughout campus were addressed. One of the more noteworthy projects involved the oldest building on campus, Old Boys Memorial Hall. Because of the unique design of the roof, this repair took on a special set of circumstances. The roofer also thoughtfully included cooper sheaths to place over the peaks of each apex that are clearly visible from downtown Delafield and provide an excellent accessory to an already iconic building. It has been some time since this much attention and focus has been given to these historic grounds. Many more projects are underway, and many more are still to be planned. With your continued help and support, St. John’s Northwestern Academies can continue to restore our rich and outstanding shared history for future generations. U pgrades included restoration of the exterior of Noble Victory Memorial Chapel.
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St. John’s Northwestern Academies
sjnacademies.org/donatenow
Giving your best makes leadership possible. In the classroom, at chapel, in the athletic arena, and on the parade field, our cadets and preps give their best every day. May we count on you to give your best to help our future leaders?
There are many ways to give your best. STOCKS
Pay less tax, give more, and improve your personal cash flow by simplifying your giving through stocks and/or mutual funds.
www.sjnacademies.org
IRA CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION
If you are over age 72, you are eligible to use your required minimum distribution (RMD) for charitable purposes.
SUSTAINED GIVING Join The 1884 Club by pledging a minimum gift of $1,884 for three consecutive years to help the Academies accurately plan for the future.
MATCHING GIFTS
Check with your employer to see if SJNA qualifies for an employer match of your charitable contribution. You could double your impact.
RECURRING GIFTS
Set up a recurring gift online today! It’s a fast, flexible, secure, and simple way to help shape a future leader.
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2020-2021
Honor Roll of Donors With profound gratitude, we acknowledge our 2020-2021 contributors for giving so generously of your resources. Each of you is a vital part of St. John’s Northwestern Academies and the long tradition of philanthropy that has guided our exceptional school since 1884. There is much to celebrate as more than $3.2 million in cash donations was received! This total includes gifts received by June 30 for St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy on behalf of The Rick Leone Challenge Match Campaign and $1,068,421 for annual operations… this being the third consecutive year that we have surpassed the $1 million milestone for the Annual Fund!
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The Beacon | SPRING 2022
St. John’s Northwestern Academies has been propelled through a significant transition in recent years, and your support is truly an inspiration for our Academies, our mission, and most importantly, the young people for who we serve. You are making a notable difference in building a better future for our community, and we proudly salute you in this 2020-2021 Honor Roll of Donors and beyond. Thank you for your generosity and for being a part of something more extraordinary than any one of us could achieve alone!
St. John’s Northwestern Academies
The Year in Giving JULY 1, 2020 - JUNE 30, 2021 Total Cash Dollars Received $1,118,421 $2,123,804 The Rick Leone Challenge Match Campaign
Annual Fund
(operations plus other non-budget gifts)
$3,325
$3,245,550
Endowment
Total
Participation by Constituency 100%
91%
76.5%
54%
6%
4%
Board of Trustees
Faculty and Staff
OBAA Board of Directors
Parents of Cadets/students
Alumni
Parents of Alumni
100 %
80%
81%
33%
7.4%
3.8%
LAST YEAR
LAST YEAR
LAST YEAR
LAST YEAR
LAST YEAR
LAST YEAR
Contributed cash Dollars by Constituency (does not include in-kind donations)
$1,806,720 $792,717 $335,072 Board of Trustees
Alumni
Faculty and Staff, Friends, Other
$142,495
$24,165
(13 are alums)
$144,381 Parents of Cadets/students
Parents of Alumni
Foundations, Vendors, Corporations, Donor Organizations
Great care was taken to prepare this Honor Roll that reflects gifts received from July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021. Please accept our apologies for any errors or omissions and contact Cindy A. Trione, director of donor relations and special events, with any concerns at (262) 646 -7289 or ctrione@sjnacademies.org. www.sjnacademies.org
Board of Trustees (55.67%)
Foundations, Vendors, Corporations, Donor Organizations (0.74%)
Alumni (24.43%)
Faculty and Staff, Friends, Other (10.32%) Parents of Alumni (4.39%)
Parents of Cadets/Students (4.45%) S2
Honor Roll Donors
Reflects Gifts Received During The Fiscal Year July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021 The Heritage Society Membership The Heritage Society was created in 2002 to recognize those who have made exceptional contributions to the Academies through cash gifts and/or planned gifts.
Loyalty Circle | 172 households
Leaders Circle | 104 households
Legacy Circle | 53 households
The 1884 Club | 23 households
Lifetime membership for those whose total cash giving is $50,000 or more
Annual membership for those who contributed cash gifts of $1,884 or more to the Academies during fiscal year 2021
Lifetime membership for those who have included the Academies in their estate plans
Membership for those who have made a three-year commitment to the Academies of at least $1,884 each fiscal year
Noble ($1,000,000-$4,999,999) John Leone H’21
in Honor of Rick Leone S’75 †
Farrand ($100,000-$249,999) Randy Carl S’75 Anthony Giammanco S’80 Joe and Linda Giammanco N’70
Randall Giammanco S’80 Hendricks Family Foundation Michael H’16 and Kim Henn
Walt and Kathy H’18 Snodell
Fred and Teri Leach S’74 Allyson Regas and James Regas ‘21
Lilah Stangeland H’99 and Roger Stangeland S’47 † Ken and Nancy Woodrow
Kemper ($50,000-$99,999) David and Judy Carl S’83 Dogwood Foundation / Frank and Robin Merrill S’67
Trustee ($25,000-$49,999) Bruce and Anne Marie Adreani S’67 Bob and Nanette † Bramlett S’70
Merideth Hmura Randall and Wendi Lauer
Presidential ($10,000-$24,999) Howard and Frankie Alper S’47 Anonymous The George H. Boomer, Sr. N’39 Fund – Designated of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation CSM Eric and Mrs. LaVina David Andrew J. “Flip” Filipowski S’68 and Melissa Oliver KEY: † Deceased
S3
Heritage Society Member
The Beacon | SPRING 2022
Micha Grayson David and Megan Hardt N’95 George and Janemarie † Hillier H’20; H’20 Wayne Hochmuth S’50 † Lazzara Family Trust Joseph and Nancy Lazzara S’69 Sue Leone and Alan Svoboda Elizabeth Leone-Almer and Family Leaders Circle Member
Mandarich Family Foundation Frank and Susan Morley S’63 The Polivka Family Jennifer Slayton Christopher Surville S’82 Derrick and Robin Winke / Raymond Winke S’57 †
1884 Society Member
St. John’s Northwestern Academies
Scholar ($5,000-$9,999) 2021 SJNA Senior Class Anonymous (4) Jeffrey Bain Dr. Crain and Mrs. Maggie Bliwas N’65 Bard and Kathy Boand N’67 VADM Dirk and Mrs. Terry Debbink Jennifer Dute’ Neil and Debra Fairfield Linda Go and Katherine Kinsella Kathy Goggins Pablo Gonzalez and Daniela Garza Tijerina
David and Paula Grommersch S’71 Faye Groves † Stan and Anne Hooker S’62 Mike and Barbara Hoover S’71 William R. and Susan M. Hummel N’68; H’10 Industrial Valco Svajunas Jablonskis and Edita Gainaite Terry Knueppel S’54 † MG Paul E. and Mrs. Maria Lima, USA (Ret.) Chris and Melissa Mandarich
Warren and Mary † Marik S’63 Stephen and Kelly Matz Old Boys Alumni Association Frank Rant S’59 Dr. Brett and Mrs. Kara Rhode Dr. Ed and Mrs. Carla Schoenenberger SJNA Parents Club Smart Spaces Ricky and Grace Tan ‘99 Judy Waller
Chip and Margarida Laub Lee John’s Catering Dr. Edward Mann and Mrs. Joy Bentley-Mann David Mattox and Chasiti Lehnert-Mattox Fred and Barbara Matz Drs. Lindsey and Mart McClellan Noel Meyer S’67 Frieda Miller S’54 Peter and Faith Nielsen Sloan Oliver, USA (Ret.) S’73 Dave and Cyndi Olsen The Patron Family Rudy Peckinpaugh S’72 Wanda Piper Kyle Popek ‘00
Bob and Betty Reeder Dr. Matthew and Mrs. Rebecca Roggensack Richard Rosenthal, Jr. and Patricia De Boom Duane and Judy Rutherford Steve & Delores Sarovich Foundation Ann Schoper H’21 Matthew and Jennifer Segel Joe H’21 and Sue Sevenz SSG Zachary Spreitzer Dr. Ralph and Mrs. Lila Stair N’63 Tom and Marie Stocks S’69 Chris and Devra Tan ‘99 Mike and Cindy Trione Greg and Susan Van Praag S’72 Joe and Asha Varghese Wade and Mary Voltz S’78
Bill and Patricia Ballhorn S’60 Earl and Sherry Bash S’69 Emily Bastian The Alben F. Bates & Clara G. Bates Foundation Be Fitness Jerry and Lois Becher Mary Bennett Bentley’s Pet Stuff Steven and Susan Bergin Best Version Media Phil Bielefeld Christian Bielizna Melissa Bishop Bishops Bay Country Club Dennis Blatt ‘11 Ronald and Sally Bloomingdale S’56 Richard Bohn S’72 Thomas and Catherine Bonaccorsi Kevin and Heather Bonnell Paul Borens Curt and Sandy Borgwardt S’63 Pamela Borisch Michael and Mary Elizabeth Bork S’93 Rear Adm. Rebecca J. Boyle, USN Ping Braatz Robert and Michelle Braman Beverly Branson
Peirce and Ann Brawner N’46 John and Marilyn Breidster N’60 Faye and Tutu Briggs Dan Brill Bill and Cassie Brink Daniel and Donna Brongiel Thomas Brouillard Linn Brownmiller and Ann Sullivan Steve Buck S’57 Daryl and Debra Bullerjahn Betty Burch-Spanjer Tom and Barb Busse N’60 The Rev. Thomas † and Mrs. Jeralyn Bye S’68 Marco Cabello S’94 Frank and Diane H’14 Calabrese Matthew and Laura Callahan S’87 Mark Cameron and Lisa Iaquinta Bill and Marilyn Campbell S’51 The Candle Mercantile Jonathan and Janice Carbary S’68 Tom Carek Bill and Diane Cary S’65 CAPT John F. Cates Jr. USN (SS) Ret. and Mrs. Diane Cates Center Court Sports Complex David Chapman N’68 and Marsha Selmer Xiaoyun Chen and Chunhua Xia
Founder ($1,884-$4,999) 3 Fish Entertainment Christopher Allen Scott and Angila Allen Lee and Susan Breitkopf S’73 Cory and Kristin Byrnes ‘09 Walt and Karen Casten S’63 / Casten Family Fund Dr. Eric and Mrs. Marsha Christman S’60 Paul and Jody Geibl Eric and Helena Gordon Jeff and Lori Grant Bill Halquist John and Sarah Hamer John Hankwitz S’60 Daniel and Katie Koniecko S’93 Luke and Marta Kraft ‘99
Friend (Gifts to $1,883) Accurate Graphics John and Donna Adler S’55 Scott and Lynette Ahlgren H’11; H’19 Matt Alagna S’71 Anthony and Katherine Albano Dr. Jack H’15 and Mrs. Betty Albert Albrecht Foods, Inc. Diane Allen Steve and Nancy Allen Amazon Smile Foundation Jeff and Theresa Ambord AmericInn Hotel & Suites Delafield Walter and Christine Anders Bradley and Donna Anderson Anonymous (23) Anonymous AT Richard and Kjersti Anthony Douglas and Marisela Arnold Herbert and Carol Arnquist Tim and Patty Ashe S’66 Willard Askew, Jr. N’67; S’67 At the Green Bench Fashion Boutique Beth Ayotte Jason Babiar S’87 Bret and Shadow Backus Roger Bailey S’92 Dennis and Diana Baker
KEY: † Deceased
Heritage Society Member
www.sjnacademies.org
Leaders Circle Member
1884 Society Member
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(Continued)
Friend (Gifts to $1,883) Namkon Choi and Hyesung Lee Bruce and Barbara Chrisman Raymond and Gina Christensen Mark Christeon N’73 Eric and Elizabeth Chudzik Steven Ciganek ‘03 Eugene Clark William Claveau and Clare Haas Claveau Clear Water Outdoor Paul Clifford Elizabeth Clough Marla Collins Brendan Coyne Charles and Sandra Craig Michael and Mary Crulcich Thomas Cunniff Michael and Alyson Custode Oscar and Elaine Dahl Steve Daily Todd Daniels Paul Darley Brian and Judith Daub
Bret Davis ‘03 John and Susan Davis Kayla Davis MSGT James L. Dawson, II N’75 Mike Dayton S’71 and Therese Matthews John and Amy Dean Ray deBruijn S’76 Delafield Brewhaus The Delafield Hotel Delafield Main St. Boutique Johnathan Delfosse Allen and Phyllis Demmin Daniel Denison and Heather White Christian J. Dennik / Walden Production Resources, Inc. Sara DerHasen Jose Diaz and Haydee Pratt Dick and Margaret Diefendorf S’65 Russ Diethert S’59 Jane Dillig James and Janine Dobson
Marcel Doe ‘08 and Cass Lodge #243 of MN Freemasons Ryan and Heidi Doerr Margaret Dolan Mike H’84 and Laurie Dolan Jon Dolfurd S’57 Brian and Jennifer Dorow Michael and Kierstyn Dovorany ‘98 Jessica Drews Jimmie and Ann Duggan H’81; H’13 William and Tara Eckert Paul Edenhofer Craig and Amy Eisenhut Jorge Elizalde S’89 Endter’s Sports Grill LLC Kyla Erickson ESCO, Inc. Eye Candy J. C. Fairvalley S’76 Donald Falk James and Holly Fawley Ford Feller
Reflects Gifts Received During the Fiscal Year July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021 KEY: † Deceased
S5
Heritage Society Member
The Beacon | SPRING 2022
Leaders Circle Member
1884 Society Member
St. John’s Northwestern Academies
(Continued)
Friend (Gifts to $1,883) Quinn Feller Peter Ferber Gabriel Fernandez S’92 Gomez and Marcela Garcia Ramos Ferrara Pan Fitness The Very Rev. Jonathan J. Filkins N’69 Mike and Karen Fink Peter and Deborah Flaherty David Flegel S’56 Adam Frame Michael and Sarah Frelheit Steve and Roberta Fremgen S’64 Brian Fuller Anna Gagnon John Galley N’58 Bradley Gapp S’91 William Garbe S’62 Gregory and Julie Garneau Gregory † and Wendy Gaskins S’87 John Gavlick Bob Geiger Lauren Genthe Dr. Charles and Mrs. Carolyn Gerwick Lonney and Jaye Getlin N’63 Paul Gibler S’74 Randall and Rheta Gilly Glendale Parade Store Edward and Carla Goings Kelli Gonzalez Dr. Michael and Mrs. Kathryn Gotthardt S’60 Scott Goyetche Katherine Grabarczyk Arthur and Jean Graham S’68 Granular Marketing Tony Greco S’68 John Green, Jr. Robert Greene S’73 Dr. Charles and Mrs. Sandra Greer S’66 William and Caroline Guanell S’55 Mr. James and Rev. Dawn Haeger Nicole Hagen Dr. Dean and Mrs. Sandra Hagness Paul and Jenna Hajny ‘04 Geoff and Wendi Hall Dr. Hadiza Hamza Wally Hankwitz S’63 BG John C. and Mrs. Faye Hanley, USA (Ret.) Mark Hardwick S’71 John and Teresa Harrington N’61 John and Sally Hattenhauer Michael and Kimberly Hausman G. C. Healy S’67 Fred and Marjorie † Hegner S’57 John and Karen Heinz S’70 George and Ana Hessberger S’65 Dr. Robert and Mrs. De Andre Hessberger S’70 Ted Heyer N’54 Nicholas Hill Harriet Himes Dennis Hobson S’63 John Hoffmann Sean M. Honeycutt S’95 Jim and Kathy Hoover S’76 Nicholas and Jennifer Hopwood Ronald and Patrica Horndorf S’51 William Hunter S’80 KEY: † Deceased
Heritage Society Member
www.sjnacademies.org
Stephanie Ihler Lester and Judith Jacobs Richard and Nicole Jacobson Dennis and Nancy Jaeger S’59 Gary and Deborah Jaeger COL and Mrs. Eduardo J. Jany, USMC (Ret.) N’82 Don and Donna Jensen Weiguang Jia Joe and Brenda Johnston S’60 Conrad Jorgensen Len Kafer S’59 Amy Karsten Jeffrey and Stephanie Kastelic Alejandro Kasuga Sakai and Sofia Fukuda Murata LTC and Mrs. James M. Kebisek, USA (Ret.) H’08 Thomas and Sharyn Keegan N’62 Jeanette Keim Bob Kelly S’67 and Basia Bator Gregory and LaDawn Kempf Michele Kester Christine Kidder Joseph and Mary Beth Kiefer Jodi King James Klafta S’50 Ed and Anne Klein Scott Kleist SFC Theresa Klosinski Ann-Christin Kloth PNCM and Mrs. Edward M. Koch, Jr., USN (Ret.) S’71 Richard and Jacqueline Koechlein N’58 Janice Koepp Don and Peg H’17 Koller Paul and Anitamarie H’09; DS’21 Kopaczewski Charles Krametbauer S’78 Kimberly Krametbauer Jackie Kreil Anthony and Christine Kreiter Robert and Karen Krenzer Carl Kuhn ‘08 Scott Kunes Stanley and Phyllis Kupiszewski S’50 Charlene Kurth Anita Kurtock Kwik Trip - Delafield Chelsea LaCour Dr. Daniel Murray, Dr. Brandon Meye & Associates at Lake Country Health Center Sean Lane S’81 Kirk Langbehn S’78 Jim and Fran Langerfeld Clifford Lardinois S’63 and Patricia DuMond Will Laub ‘09 Carl and Jerilyn Laurino Brandon LaVictor Wayne Lemmon Anita Lemperger Pedro Lima Charlie and Patricia Lindberg S’64 Wade Lindholm S’81 Jon and Jill Loehndorf S’56 Lombard Studio Dr. Jolanta Lopatniuk-Lopez and Mr. Alphonso Lopez Alfonso M. Lopez and Erna Cordova
Leaders Circle Member
Lindsey Lopez Shawn Lucas and Rebecca Smalley Erik Lund ‘00 Michael Lyons S’85 Glenn MacDonald and Shelly Principe Michael and Susan Madden Craig and Pat Madding Made by Mary Boutique William and Alison Mahoney David and Leslie Mann S’94 Nicholas Mann ‘09 The Rev. Timothy and Mrs. Stacey Manwell Joseph Marchese Howard and Anne Marco S’46 Mark and Chrys Maritote S’74 Richard and Colleen Mark S’70 Marsh & McLennan Companies / William Barnett Michael Marshall and Jeanette Guillaume-Marshall Tom and Polly Mauer Zach and Cassandra Mauer ‘11 Heather McClure James McDavid McDill The Honorable Margaret D. McGarity and Mr. Jeffrey R. Riepl Jeffrey McGlynn S’93 Don and Sandra McGough N’55 Tom McInerny William and Diane McKoy S’52 Elizabeth McLaughlin James Mehlenbeck S’72 and Patricia Seminario Mehlenbeck Diane Meixelsperger Christine Mellen Anthony and Stacy Menting Merganser Fund (Bradt Family) Kimberly Metcalf Dr. Richard and Mrs. Lotte Meyer S’57 William Milford and Cindy Parks Milford Charles Miller, Jr. S’55 Chuck Miller John and Jan Miller S’62 Jonathan and Mary Miller Robert and Mary Miller S’63 Ellsworth Mills, II N’44 Cameron Mitchell ‘09 Anthony and Kelly Mlachnik David Mlachnik Duane and Kathy Mlachnik S’80 Mark Moldenhauer Edward and Catherine Moore S’47 Phillip and Jane Moore MSI General Corporation Jorge Mudeci Millan ‘20 Andrew Mueller ‘06 John and Patty Mueller S’81 Donald and Barbara Mullett S’60 Frank and Kathy Mungo S’83 Martin and Angela Munvez Steve and Cheryl Murphy S’77 John and Nancy Murray Bill Naleid S’63 John Nelson ‘04 Larry Nelson S’65
1884 Society Member
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(Continued)
Friend (Gifts to $1,883) Dr. Lawrence Nelson MAJ and Mrs. Richard H. Nelson, USA (Ret.) N’69 Ryan Newman Lawrence Newton Next Door Boutique Aubrey and Kimberly Nichols Christopher and Susan Niggemeier William and Jennifer Nitschmann Donald Nuenthel James and Sandra O’Brien Office Copying Equipment Ltd. Louise Okrzesik Oliva Di Vita Albert Olson S’51 Drs. Robert and Kirsten O’Quinn Orangetheory Fitness Luz Osorio Steven Otopalik S’74 AJ Otto Jonathan and Amanda Otto Eloisa Palacios Amy Palmer Stelios Panagiotaros ‘16 Dr. Rick and Mrs. Tracy Papandrea Gary and Mary Park Jin Sun Park and Jin Hee Jang F. William Parker S’59 William and Mary Parker S’59 Jim and Debra Parks S’65 Danielle Pawlik Dwight and Sharon Pawlowski Roger and Chris Pawsat N’61 Bill Pearson Jim Pease and Linda Johnson
Barry and Rebecca Pechous Bruce and Kay Peck N’60 David and Jessica Pederson James and Karen Perry Oliver and Susan Perry S’67 Greg Peters ‘05 Kent and Kimberley Peters S’73 Dr. Randy Peters S’74 Ben Peterson Edward and Nadine Pflueger Jon and Jacqueline Pickelmann Adam and Devon Placido Joseph and Mary Plese John Podziemski Dennis and Kimberly Poenisch Richard Polin N’49 Michael and April Prescott Arden Prevo ‘23 Tim Prevo and Amy SoHang Choi Michael and Louise Principe Gabe Prospero Greg and Florence Prospero Edward and Jessica Ranquist Carl and Donna Rapp S’69 The Donald and Virginia Raths Family Charitable Fund at The Community Foundation of Will County Audley and Pamela Redwood Mr. Jason Reeder and Mrs. Katie Troyer William and Maryann Reeves Peter Regas Mark Reinders and Sheridan Ryan Ryan Reisner Mark Reppert S’65 Jeffery and Debora Repsumer
James Ressler S’77 Nikos and Nancy Reuss N’72 Revere’s Wells Street Tavern Ivan Reyes ‘15 Michael Rhodes Col. and Mrs. Bert L. Rice, USA (Ret.) Richard and Amanda Rochwerger Alfonso Rodriguez and Pena Fernandez Dr. Robert H’07 and Mrs. Ann Roehrkasse Jeff and Pat Roggensack John and Cheryl Roggow S’68 Dr. Thom and Mrs. Julianne Rooke Alexander Roth ‘11 James and Scarlett Ryan Patrick Ryan and Jennifer Moos Ryan Erwin Sadowski and Debra Koch-Sadowski Colin and Alyssa Sandefur ‘07 Sean and Lisa Sander S’80 Bill and Stephanie Sanders S’74 Charles Sansone N’58 James and Suzanne Sass Bob and Judy Schell S’64 Kenneth and Jenafer Schinner Floyd and Ina Schlossberg S’55 Rudolph Schlosser III S’80 and Stephanie Lane Armond and Janice Schmidt Frederick and Janet Schmidt Jon Schmidt Tim Schneider Nancy Schoenenberger Carol Schott H’99 Randy Schueller and Mary Jo Wheeler-Schueller Joshua Schwantes CMSgt Steven and Mrs. Karen Schweiss Dr. Pamela Seaman and Mr. John Seaman
Reflects Gifts Received During the Fiscal Year July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021 KEY: † Deceased
S7
Heritage Society Member
The Beacon | SPRING 2022
Leaders Circle Member
1884 Society Member
St. John’s Northwestern Academies
(Continued)
Friend (Gifts to $1,883) Melina Sebastian Sean and Carrie Sebold Matt Seeboth Dr. Robert and Mrs. Jennifer Seidl Sabyasachi and Sarah Sengupta Ameet Shahani ‘98 CPT Jason L. Sharp, WIARNG ‘05 Jessy Sharp ‘13 Robert and Mary Sherman S’56 Daniel Sherwin S’62 Ken and Tricia Shields S’68 Perry H’97 and Amy Siebers Dr. Agnieszka Silbert and Mr. Neal Silbert Austin Slaybaugh Richard and Sharon Slosar Joyce Smalley Patrick Smalley Jerald Smith S’68 Jimmy Smith ‘03 Mrs. Larry L. Smith Dr. Judy Smith and Mr. Zeke Fairbank S’75 Bill and Sara Snyder S’69 George and Sarah Sotos S’64 Bruce Speidel S’63 David and Lana Spinner S’55 Michael and Holly Stadler Brian and Sandy Staffeldt Dr. Wesley Stafford S’70 David Stahl ‘06 Starbucks KEY: † Deceased
Heritage Society Member
www.sjnacademies.org
Michael and Barbara Steger S’44 Charlie and Mary Stellbrink S’60 Jocelyn Stepanoff Paul Stephens and Ann Andre-Stephens Steven Paul Designs Brad and Marcia Stocks Dr. Joseph and Mrs. Karen Stoeckl Dr. Nick Stoianov and Dr. Karen Koepp Dr. Joseph and Mrs. Peggy Storrs Steven Stowe Dennis Strevel S’69 Beverly Strong Jack and Peggy Sturm S’54 Cheryl Tallungan CPT Dominic Tatti ‘99 James C. Tauschek, DDS S’72 Michael and Traci Theobald S’83 Kristen Thomas Richard and Dorothy Thomas John and Sandra Thompson S’71 Pete and Anne Thompson S’71 Steven Tiffany Roger and Bonnie Timm Debbie Toth Richard and Mary Trailer S’63 John and Kay Trebellas S’55 James and Salina Ubben Dr. Michael and Mrs. Barbara Unger Joaquin Vallarino, III S’62 Liliana Van Duzer
Leaders Circle Member
Harvey Van Horn S’65 Alois Vana S’52 Timothy Vice Paul and Andrea Vie Donald Visser S’68 Tom Vollmer S’59 Niranjan and Surekha Vutukuru Daisun Wagner Tom Wagner S’65 Ross Wandschneider S’54 The Rev. Geoffrey and Valerie Ward Pete and Lori Waskel S’76 Wealthspire Advisors Jervis and Diana Webb S’60 SGT Christopher J. Wheatley, USA ‘04 Larry and Colleen Whittle John and Sandi Wietzel S’64 James Wilke S’59 Wisconsin Focus LLC Wisconsin RAP Alan and Beverly Wolfe Dr. Eric and Mrs. Teresa Wozniak YMCA at Pabst Farms Mike and Jan York S’64 Patti Zager Zhou Zhang and Jinxian Gao David Zielinski and Cynthia Reyes-Zielinski COL Thomas L. Zimmerman, USA (Ret.) N’51 and Dr. Mary Povolny David Zirngibl ‘02 and Laura Zirngibl-Witt
1884 Society Member
S8
A LU MN I G IV ING 2020 -2021
Behind the Numbers Thank you, alumni, for your confidence and belief in our vision!
Your investment in St. John’s Northwestern is an investment in the future of our students, and there is no greater affirmation of your support than their success. www.sjnacademies.org/donatenow
ALUMNI GIFTS RECEIVED DURING THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2020-JUNE 30, 2021 NMNA
SJMA
NMNA
SJMA
NMNA
SJMA
SJNMA
1930
0
0
n/a
$0
1960
3
9
n/a
$16,205
1990
0
0
n/a
$0
1931
0
0
n/a
$0
1961
2
0
n/a
$306
1991
0
1
n/a
$820
1932
0
0
n/a
$0
1962
1
6
n/a
$18,153
1992
0
2
n/a
$865
1933
0
0
n/a
$0
1963
2
11
n/a
$25,797
1993
0
3
n/a
$3,755
1934
0
0
n/a
$0
1964
0
6
n/a
$3,065
1994
0
2
n/a
$1,021
1935
0
0
n/a
$0
1965
1
8
n/a
$8,268
1995
1
1
0
$10,768
1936
0
0
n/a
$0
1966
0
2
n/a
$255
1996
n/a
n/a
0
$0
1937
0
0
n/a
$0
1967
2
6
n/a
$88,621
1997
n/a
n/a
0
$0
1938
0
0
n/a
$0
1968
2
9
n/a
$24,764
1998
n/a
n/a
2
$350
1939
1
0
n/a
$11,370
1969
2
6
n/a
$28,030
1999
n/a
n/a
4
$12,230
1940
0
0
n/a
$0
1970
1
5
n/a
$36,188
2000
n/a
n/a
2
$2,880
1941
0
0
n/a
$0
1971
0
9
n/a
$12,871
2001
n/a
n/a
0
$0
1942
0
0
n/a
$0
1972
1
7
n/a
$12,473
2002
n/a
n/a
1
$258
1943
0
0
n/a
$0
1973
1
4
n/a
$10,175
2003
n/a
n/a
3
$556
1944
1
1
n/a
$2,500
1974
0
6
n/a
$62,125
2004
n/a
n/a
3
$984
1945
0
0
n/a
$0
1975
1
2
n/a
$175,671
2005
n/a
n/a
2
$203
1946
1
1
n/a
$600
1976
0
4
n/a
$1,965
2006
n/a
n/a
2
$309
1947
0
2
n/a
$20,100
1977
0
3
n/a
$14,365
2007
n/a
n/a
1
$100
1948
0
0
n/a
$0
1978
0
3
n/a
$5,503
2008
n/a
n/a
2
$287
1949
1
0
n/a
$100
1979
0
0
n/a
$0
2009
n/a
n/a
4
$4,860
1950
0
4
n/a
$13,366
1980
0
6
n/a
$251,054
2010
n/a
n/a
0
$0
1951
1
3
n/a
$1,953
1981
0
4
n/a
$1,246
2011
n/a
n/a
3
$756
1952
0
2
n/a
$350
1982
1
2
n/a
$11,530
2012
n/a
n/a
0
$0
1953
0
1
n/a
$103
1983
0
3
n/a
$55,171
2013
n/a
n/a
1
$155
1954
1
4
n/a
$8,233
1984
0
0
n/a
$0
2014
n/a
n/a
0
$0
1955
1
6
n/a
$2,725
1985
0
1
n/a
$103
2015
n/a
n/a
1
$20
1956
0
4
n/a
$1,675
1986
0
1
n/a
$6,665
2016
n/a
n/a
1
$26
1957
1
4
n/a
$2,450
1987
0
3
n/a
$280
2017
n/a
n/a
0
$0
1958
3
0
n/a
$1,430
1988
0
0
n/a
$0
2018
n/a
n/a
0
$0
1959
0
8
n/a
$11,343
1989
0
1
n/a
$510
2019
n/a
n/a
0
$0
2020
n/a
n/a
1
$21
Class Year
S9
The Beacon | SPRING 2022
SJNMA
Total Giving
Class Year
SJNMA
Total Giving
Class Year
Total Giving
St. John’s Northwestern Academies
Gifts in Memory of Joseph Anstett S’51 Bill and Marilyn Campbell S’51
Robert Kotovic S’60 F. William Parker S’59
Jake R. Anthony PG’12 Richard and Kjersti Anthony
RADM Ronald J. Kurth, USN (Ret.) H’13 Charlene Kurth
Ellsworth and Marjorie Bentley Dr. Edward Mann and Mrs. Joy Bentley-Mann
Ernest Kurtock S’52 Anonymous Anita Kurtock Forrest McCoy Eddie and Gloria Miotke
Nanette Bramlett John and Karen Heinz S’70 Paul and Anitamarie H’09; DS’21 Kopaczewski Bob and Penny Long Stephen and Kelly Matz Regional Parks Advisory Board – Ardmore, OK Mike and Cindy Trione Patti Zager Thomas Bulger S’51 Bill and Marilyn Campbell S’51 True Childs S’27 John Greene, Jr. Christopher Cole S’65 Mark Reppert S’65 Richard Ellbogen S’68 Tony Greco S’68 Fallen Classmates of 1999 Luke and Marta Kraft ‘99 Michael Grayson S’62 Micha Grayson John Green S’31 John Greene, Jr. LTC Leonard A. Greene Paul Clifford Michael Lyons S’85 Gregory Halquist ‘13 Bill Halquist George Hessberger S’38 Dr. Robert and Mrs. De Andre Hessberger S’70 William Hillerman S’59 Russ Diethert S’59 LTC Scott Johnston, USMC S’17 Bradley and Donna Anderson Daryl Kaufmann James C. Tauschek, DDS S’72 Terry Knueppel S’54 William and Mary Parker S’59 Paul Kolberg S’64 Patrick and Janice Grosse Laddie Korecek, Jr. S’73 Rudy Peckinpaugh S’72 KEY: † Deceased
Heritage Society Member
www.sjnacademies.org
Rick Leone S’75 Christopher Allen Scott and Angila Allen Howard and Frankie Alper S’47 Bradley and Donna Anderson Anonymous (15) Douglas and Marisela Arnold Willard Askew, Jr. N’67; S’67 Karen Barrick Jerry and Lois Becher Melissa Bishop Dr. Crain and Mrs. Maggie Bliwas N’65 Ronald and Sally Bloomingdale S’56 Bard and Kathy Boand N’67 Curt and Sandy Borgwardt S’63 John and Marilyn Breidster N’60 Lee and Susan Breitkopf S’73 Thomas Brouillard Cory and Kristin Byrnes ‘09 Marco Cabello S’94 Bill and Marilyn Campbell S’51 Jonathan and Janice Carbary S’68 David and Judy Carl S’83 Randy Carl S’75 CAPT John F. Cates Jr. USN (SS) Ret. and Mrs. Diane Cates Raymond and Gina Christensen Mark Christeon N’73 William Claveau and Clare Haas Claveau Elizabeth Clough Brendan Coyne Brian and Judith Daub CSM Eric and Mrs. LaVina David Bret Davis ‘03 John and Susan Davis Daniel Denison and Heather White Jose Diaz and Haydee Pratt Russ Diethert S’59 Mike H’84 and Laurie Dolan Jon Dolfurd S’57 Jimmie and Ann Duggan H’81; H’13 Neil and Debra Fairfield Andrew J. “Flip” Filipowski S’68 and Melissa Oliver John Galley N’58 Paul and Jody Geibl Anthony Giammanco S’80 Joe and Linda Giammanco N’70 Randall Giammanco S’80 Randall and Rheta Gilly Kathy Goggins Pablo Gonzalez and Daniela Garza Tijerina Dr. Michael and Mrs. Kathryn Gotthardt S’60 Scott Goyetche Jeff and Lori Grant
Leaders Circle Member
Robert Greene S’73 David and Paula Grommersch S’71 William and Caroline Guanell S’55 Geoff and Wendi Hall John Hankwitz S’60 BG John C. and Mrs. Faye Hanley, USA (Ret.) Michael and Kimberly Hausman G. C. Healy S’67 Fred and Marjorie Hegner S’57 Kim Henn Michael Henn H’16 George and Ana Hessberger S’65 Dr. Robert and Mrs. De Andre Hessberger S’70 Nicholas Hill Merideth Hmura Mike and Barbara Hoover S’71 Ronald and Patrica Horndorf S’51 William R. and Susan M. Hummel N’68; H’10 William Hunter S’80 Stephanie Ihler Industrial Valco Svajunas Jablonskis and Edita Gainaite Dennis and Nancy Jaeger S’59 Alejandro Kasuga Sakai and Sofia Fukuda Murata LTC and Mrs. James M. Kebisek, USA (Ret.) H’08 Bob Kelly S’67 and Basia Bator Michele Kester PNCM and Mrs. Edward M. Koch, Jr., USN (Ret.) S’71 Richard and Jacqueline Koechlein N’58 Janice Koepp Paul and Anitamarie H’09; DS’21 Kopaczewski Luke and Marta Kraft ‘99 Charles Krametbauer S’78 Anthony and Christine Kreiter Stephen Krentzman Robert and Karen Krenzer Stanley and Phyllis Kupiszewski S’50 Kirk Langbehn S’78 Randall and Wendi Lauer Brandon LaVictor Joseph and Nancy Lazzara S’69 Lazzara Family Trust Fred and Teri Leach S’74 John Leone H’21 Sue Leone and Alan Svoboda Elizabeth Leone-Almer and Family MG Paul E. and Mrs. Maria Lima, USA (Ret.) Pedro Lima Jon and Jill Loehndorf S’56 Dr. Jolanta Lopatniuk-Lopez and Mr. Alphonso Lopez Shawn Lucas and Rebecca Smalley Michael and Susan Madden Mandarich Family Foundation David and Leslie Mann S’94 Dr. Edward Mann and Mrs. Joy Bentley-Mann Nicholas Mann ‘09 Howard and Anne Marco S’46 Warren and Mary † Marik S’63 Richard and Colleen Mark S’70 Marsh & McLennan Companies / William Barnett
1884 Society Member
S10
(Continued)
Gifts in Memory of Rick Leone S’75 (continued) David Mattox and Chasiti Lehnert-Mattox Fred and Barbara Matz Stephen and Kelly Matz Glenn MacDonald and Shelly Principe Heather McClure The Honorable Margaret D. McGarity and Mr. Jeffrey R. Riepl William and Diane McKoy S’52 Noel Meyer S’67 Dr. Richard and Mrs. Lotte Meyer S’57 Cameron Mitchell ‘09 Mark Moldenhauer Moldenhauer Landscape & Design, Inc. Edward and Catherine Moore S’47 John and Patty Mueller S’81 Steve and Cheryl Murphy S’77 Bill Naleid S’63 Ryan Newman Lawrence Newton William and Jennifer Nitschmann Old Boys Alumni Association Sloan Oliver, USA (Ret.) S’73 Dave and Cyndi Olsen Drs. Robert and Kirsten O’Quinn Gary and Mary Park The Patron Family Dwight and Sharon Pawlowski Jim Pease and Linda Johnson Barry and Rebecca Pechous Rudy Peckinpaugh S’72 James and Karen Perry Oliver and Susan Perry S’67 Greg Peters ‘05 Kent and Kimberley Peters S’73 Adam and Devon Placido Kyle Popek ‘00 Carl and Donna Rapp S’69 The Donald and Virginia Raths Family Charitable Fund at The Community Foundation of Will County Bob and Betty Reeder Allyson Regas and James Regas ‘21 Mark Reppert S’65 Jeffery and Debora Repsumer James Ressler S’77 Dr. Brett and Mrs. Kara Rhode Alfonso Rodriguez and Pena Fernandez Dr. Matthew and Mrs. Rebecca Roggensack John and Cheryl Roggow S’68 Ted and Christine Roth S’74 Duane and Judy Rutherford James and Scarlett Ryan Bill and Stephanie Sanders S’74 Bob and Judy Schell S’64 Kenneth and Jenafer Schinner Armond and Janice Schmidt Ann Schoper H’21
KEY: † Deceased
S11
Heritage Society Member
The Beacon | SPRING 2022
CMSgt Steven and Mrs. Karen Schweiss Sean and Carrie Sebold Joe H’21 and Sue Sevenz Robert and Mary Sherman S’56 Daniel Sherwin S’62 SJNA Parents Club Jennifer Slayton Mrs. Larry L. Smith Walt and Kathy H’18 Snodell Bruce Speidel S’63 David and Lana Spinner S’55 SSG Zachary Spreitzer Dr. Wesley Stafford S’70 Lilah Stangeland H’99 and Roger Stangeland S’47 † Michael and Barbara Steger S’44 Charlie and Mary Stellbrink S’60 Jocelyn Stepanoff Tom and Marie Stocks S’69 Dr. Joseph and Mrs. Karen Stoeckl Dennis Strevel S’69 Beverly Strong Christopher Surville S’82 Chris and Devra Tan ‘99 Ricky and Grace Tan ‘99 Richard and Mary Trailer S’63 Mike and Cindy Trione Greg and Susan Van Praag S’72 Joe and Asha Varghese Wade and Mary Voltz S’78 Tom Wagner S’65 Ross Wandschneider S’54 The Rev. Geoffrey and Valerie Ward SGT Christopher J. Wheatley, USA ‘04 John and Sandi Wietzel S’64 James Wilke S’59 Alan and Beverly Wolfe Ken and Nancy Woodrow Patti Zager David Zielinski and Cynthia Reyes-Zielinski COL Thomas L. Zimmerman, USA (Ret.) N’51 and Dr. Mary Povolny David Zirngibl’ 02 and Laura Zirngibl-Witt MAJ Edison B. Lerch S’19 Warren Marik S’63 John and Jan Miller S’62 Mark Reppert S’65 Richard Rosenthal, Jr. and Patricia De Boom John and Sandi Wietzel S’64 Francesco Maciariello ‘20 Quinn Feller Charles McKissick S’10 Pete and Anne Thompson S’71
Leaders Circle Member
PFC Michael J. Metcalf, USA ‘08 Kimberly Metcalf J. Scott Morrison S’72 Rudy Peckinpaugh S’72 Charles E. Nelson S’22, Honored Old Boy 1966, Distinguished Service 1986 Mark Moldenhauer NMNA Class of ‘57 Fallen Anonymous LTC Sam C. Oliver, USMC (Ret.) Sloan Oliver, USA (Ret.) S’73 Stephen Oliver S’72 Sloan Oliver, USA (Ret.) S’73 Briggs Palmer S’46 Amy Palmer Rudolph A. Peckinpaugh, Sr. S’43 Rudy Peckinpaugh S’72 Gail Polin Richard Polin N’49 William Reeves S’42 William and Maryann Reeves Bryce James Ryan ‘22 James and Scarlett Ryan Glenn Schoenenberger N’61 John and Teresa Harrington N’61 Michael Trader S’59 Dennis and Nancy Jaeger S’59 German Valencia Barrera S’78 William Hunter S’80 H. Scott “Spike” Van Norwick Elizabeth McLaughlin Frances Vorys H’87 Frederick and Janet Schmidt Ray Wandschneider S’28 Ross Wandschneider S’54 Kenneth Yonan S’65 Mark Reppert S’65
1884 Society Member
St. John’s Northwestern Academies
Gifts in Honor of Dr. Jack H. Albert, Jr. H’15 Andrew Mueller ‘06
John Carlos Kinsella ‘21 Linda Go and Katherine Kinsella
Dr. James and Mrs. Carol Babiar S’62 Jason Babiar S’87
Liam MacDonald ‘23 Glenn MacDonald and Shelly Principe
Earl Bash S’69 Sherry Bash
MSgt Donald Matthews Michael Lyons S’85
Pablo Calderon ‘20 Ford Feller
William R. Madden ‘21 Michael and Susan Madden
Caitlynn Curtis ‘21 Charles Krametbauer S’78
Matthew McDavid ‘10 James McDavid
Stuart Edwards Jeanette Keim
Eric Peters S’95 Brian and Judith Daub
Carlos Escalante ‘22 Ford Feller
Stewart Randall H’81 Rudy Peckinpaugh S’72 James Regas ‘21 Allyson Regas
Jose Escalante ‘20 Ford Feller
Josh Rex ‘21 Katherine Grabarczyk
SFC Brian Galarza 1LT Jason L. Sharp, WIARNG ‘05
Mark Roggow S’72 Rudy Peckinpaugh S’72
Zachary Gargano ‘20 The Rev. Geoffrey and Valerie Ward
SJNA 2021 Senior Class Anonymous Gifts from Easy Troy Dart Tournament Roger Bailey S’92
Joshua Geibl ‘21 Paul and Jody Geibl
Dennis and Diana Baker Linn Brownmiller and Ann Sullivan Paul and Jody Geibl Micha Grayson Sean M. Honeycutt S’95 Mike and Barbara Hoover S’71 Daniel and Katie Koniecko S’93 Paul and Anitamarie H’09; DS’21 Kopaczewski Michael Lyons S’85 Michael and Susan Madden Warren and Mary † Marik Stephen and Kelly Matz Jorge Mudeci Millan ‘20 F. William Parker S’59 The Patron Family Kyle Popek ‘00 Allyson Regas Jeffery and Debora Repsumer Dr. Matthew and Mrs. Rebecca Roggensack Duane and Judy Rutherford Ann Schoper Brian and Sandy Staffeldt Mike and Cindy Trione Joe and Asha Varghese Paul and Andrea Vie Patti Zager The Thompson Family Pete and Anne Thompson S’71 Carlos Valencia Barrera S’72 Rudy Peckinpaugh S’72
Matching Gifts American Family Insurance Ecolab
The Home Depot Wells Fargo
Thank you
for your continued investment in our future leaders! KEY: † Deceased
Heritage Society Member
www.sjnacademies.org
Leaders Circle Member
1884 Society Member
S12
A Message from the OBAA President
To My Fellow Alumni and Friends: I am humbled to be elected as the next president of the OBAA. I assume this position by building on past OBAA successes as our Academies move into a new era of unique opportunities specific to enrollment and financial stability. Three years ago, we diversified by introducing young women to SJNMA, bringing new and exciting results that allow for growth and commitment to the traditions of the Academy. Our young women have been model cadets/students, whose numbers have steadily increased. In 2020, our Academy began a new leadership initiative, now called the Prefect Academy, which allows for leadership training, structure, and a commitment toward the traditions of our beloved Academy. The Prefect Academy is a model known world-wide, and its structure dates back to the 14th century. Its governmental structure is facilitated in a similar fashion to what most of us know and recognize from the Military Academy. In May 2021, the OBAA welcomed our first graduates as alumni from this new Academy. I welcome all with open arms, encouraging active membership with the OBAA, as new members and youth are necessary for the OBAA to grow in this new era of the Academies. A main goal of the newly elected Executive Board, which is the youngest on record, is to revitalize the OBAA by bringing more youth onto the Board of Directors. Your Executive Board is also committed to facilitating better communication, introducing international alumni seated on the board to become active members abroad, and conducting ZOOM style meetings to increase alumni participation,
32
The Beacon | SPRING 2022
regardless of physical location. To increase ongoing communication, the board has established an OBAA website, www.obaasjn.org, which will serve as the primary vehicle for the OBAA to communicate with alumni. Please visit the site, browse through it, and register yourself into the site. This will allow the OBAA board to pass along information in a more timely and efficient way. OBAA events are also posted on the website with more to come soon. Visit campus! As OBAA president, I ask all alumni to reach out to each other, get together, laugh, reminisce, and have fun; but most of all, let the OBAA and the Academies know about events you are planning! One little get together can lead to another and another that might be attended by that lost roommate or just another Old Boy! That’s what the OBAA is about - getting together, having fun, and promoting the Academies. If any of you have questions, please contact me at michael.hoover@obaasjn.org. “Carry On”
Michael A. Hoover S1971 OBAA President
St. John’s Northwestern Academies
Alumni News In November 2021, John “Jack” Solin S1942 noted that he was a Captain in the Infantry. He earned the Combat Infantry Badge, a Bronze Star, and (3) Battle Stars. John attended Advanced Infantry School at Ft. Benning, Georgia, ranking 22 out of 190 graduates. He spent two and a half years overseas and currently resides in Lake Barrington, Illinois.
Jordan Hecktman S1948 and his longtime love and wife Marlene celebrated their 70th anniversary on May 23, 2021. They met while Jordan was a cadet at SJMA, and they attended the Midwinter Ball together. They were high school sweethearts and married soon after his SJMA graduation.
David Spinner S1955 and his wife Lana visited campus in August 2021 with their two granddaughters, who had never had the opportunity to see Grandpa’s school. They perused through the 1955 Trumpeter, visited the 1955 class stone, and spent some time in the chapel. This was a “quick stop” that was thoroughly enjoyed by all! In January 2022, Dr. Richard Meyer S1957 reported the following: “From Ory-Gun is my 24th album, dating back to recordings made in the 1970s. The style, as in all of my albums, is “Americana,” a mix of folk, country, blues, old-time rock n’ roll, etc. Totally acoustic (no electric) studio recorded but honest music, and unenhanced (no overdubs, multiple tracks, or other gimmickry). I play guitar and harmonicas, supply lead vocals, and I’m accompanied by Mark Babson (fiddle, mandolin, harmony vocals). My next album (#25),
www.sjnacademies.org
entitled Old Friends and Memories, will be most likely be my last as the arthritis in my right (picking) hand is becoming problematic.” Dr. Meyer did his graduate and undergraduate work at Northwestern University and the University of Washington. He served six years in the U.S. Army in the late 1950s and1960s, and subsequently taught for many years as Professor of English Literature and Folklore at Western Oregon University. Dr. Meyer and his wife Lotte live in Salem, Oregon. He reads, writes, does the music, enjoys the proximity of his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren, and gathers with his friends once or twice a week to smoke cigars, drink good whiskey, and solve the world’s problems. Dennis Jaeger S1959 recently reported that he celebrated his 80th birthday in 2021. Dennis attended SJMA for two years (1953-1955) and said the SJMA discipline, training, work ethic, comradery, spirit, tradition, and faith equipped him well during his lifetime. Dennis served in the U.S. Army from 1961-1964. After completing B.S. and M.S. degrees at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with majors in secondary education, German language, and history, he reentered the Army Reserves while teaching full-time high school German, history, and social studies in southeast Wisconsin. His Army training was largely comprised of summers at Ft. McCoy (5th Army Intelligence School) where he earned his second Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) as an interrogator in German, Polish & Russian, and even taught courses for interrogators of enemy prisoners of war. Dennis eventually attained the rank of chief warrant officer (CW4), the highest attainable rank in Army reserve capacity. “May the dedication, pride, tradition, and training at St. John’s live on! It has served us cadets well to serve this blessed Nation.”
impact of players and coaches like William Juneau, (grandnephew of Solomon Juneau), Gus Dorais (quarterback for Knute Rockne at Notre Dame who helped modernize the forward pass), Arlie Mucks (first American public high schooler in the Olympics), coaches Ralph Fletcher and Edison Lerch of SJMA, Win Brockmeyer, Tom Hearden, Alan Ameche, Gerry Uchtyil, and onto the current giants of Wisconsin high school football.
OBAA President Michael Hoover S1971 traveled to Arizona with his son Christopher Hoover and visited with several alumni from the area. Pictured above at the Buffalo Chip Saloon in Cave Creek on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, are (front row) Michael Hoover S1971 and Russell Burbank S1959; (second row) Dan Papin 2008, Ricky Joseph S1979, and Steve Lewandowski S1971; and (third row) Christopher Hoover and Bard Boand N1967.
The Great Teams: A History of Wisconsin High School Football, written by Kevin E. Patrowsky S1970, is available for purchase. Over 50 years of research and decades of maintaining the Wisconsin high school state football record book have led to this book. By profiling state champions and other impressive teams, going back to Madison’s 1897 “national champions”, this book tells the story of how the game developed and Wisconsin’s incredible impact. St. John’s Military Academy played an important part in the development of the sport. Primarily told through individual team profiles, The Great Teams expands on the
Steve Murphy S1977 will forever cherish this on-campus photo of his son Grant whose hand is placed over his heart for the national anthem circa 1998. Grant is standing next to long-time SJNMA staff member, Stewart Randall H1981.
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ALUMNI NEWS
Jeff DuBose N1976 had a great time at National Lift Truck Inc’s 2021 Christmas party with his wife, Debra. They reported, “The National Lift Truck Party was enchanting. Our family is so very grateful for our employees, customers, and friends.”
Fernando Esquivel S1976 participated as a tourist consultant in October 2021. He stated, “Thanks to LEAD University and Alberto Perez Ibarra for the confidence in having allowed me to participate as a consultant in the Attractions Class for Specialty in Tourist Business Management.”
Charles Sampson S1977 reported the following: “This photo was taken August 22, 2021. I was in Vegas for my nephew’s wedding that weekend. I posted on Facebook being in Vegas and Fernando Esquivel S1976 replied that Ed Klee S1976 lived in Vegas, and he sent me his number. I hadn’t seen Ed since 1975, my sophomore year. It was like seeing a long-lost family member. St. John’s is a lifetime bonding agent. Ed was an upperclassman to me. So, one thing that stood out to me when we met for lunch was that he said I grew. It was a pleasure reconnecting with Ed and meeting his wife. I enjoyed the tour of the surrounding areas of Vegas Ed provided. Most of all I enjoy the bond we as alumni share.”
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In September 2021, John Flint S1980 reported the following: “My wife GiGi and I are living in Irving, Texas, close to the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport where I have returned as an American Airlines B737 Captain International. COVID displaced me from Dallas to New York, so it is good to be back home and no longer commuting.”
Reginald Hayes S1987 was featured in the December 2021 issue of Wingman Magazine! In addition, he will be appearing on ABC’s Abbott Elementary (episodes 10 and 11) and in a film on Amazon called Run Sweetheart Run both sometime in March 2022. Jeffrey Pettit S1988 married Ruth on April 17, 2021. The couple lives in Florence, New Jersey, where he relocated from Wisconsin in 2017.
In April, 2021, Frank Mungo S1983 (far right) and Warren Marik S1963 (far left) enjoyed lunch together. They talked with Fox32 sportscaster Lou Canellis, who is an owner of the Avli restaurant in downtown Chicago.
Several from the SJNA community got together at the Sussex Lions Daze festival over the summer of 2021 to enjoy live music from The Kingfish Band. Members of the band include Michael Stadler (faculty) and Stephen Matz (staff). Pictured here are (left to right): John Mueller S1983, CMSgt Steve Schweiss (former staff), David Carl S1983, Michael Hoover S1971, Josh Geibl 2021, and Aiden Nichols 2023. James Faircloth S1987 and Paul Dennison S1987 enjoyed dinner together at Keystone Bar & Grill in Covington, Kentucky, on November 29, 2021.
On December 30, 2021, State Court Administrator Bob Gast named Ross Loder S1988 as deputy state court administrator for the Iowa Judicial Branch. The deputy state court administrator assists the state court administrator in the day-to-day management of Iowa’s state court system and its more than 1,700 employees. Ross, of Des Moines, served as a research, policy, and planning analyst for the judicial branch since March 2019. Prior to employment with the judicial branch, he served as the program services bureau chief for the Iowa Department of Public Safety from 2012 until joining the judicial branch; and was the policy advisor and legislative liaison for the Iowa Department of Public Safety from 2005 to 2012. Prior professional roles include service first as research director then later as deputy director for the Tennessee Municipal League, and work as a senior research analyst for the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations in Nashville, Tennessee. Ross earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and sociology from the University of Missouri in 1992 and a Master of Public Policy degree from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University in 1997.
Rob Sarra S1991, pup Lena, Max (9), and Jake (10) enjoyed visiting campus over Commencement & Reunion Weekend 2021. Jake even advised that, “He would go here!”
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Roger Bailey S1992 visited with Blake Milford S1991, and the two surprised Rob Sarra S1991 on December 2, 2021. Roger stated, “Blake came into town on his off season from flying firefighting aircraft to take care of some business and to come and see me. I knew Blake had not seen some of the other Alumni in a while, so I decided to surprise Rob with Blake being in town. So, we snuck out to Geneva, Illinois, to have a surprise dinner. We are a very tight crew, and we always try to make time for each other whenever we travel the globe.” Nicholas Abston S1993 was visited by his dad, Col Ralph Abston, and Jeremy Smith S1991 at the Rumba Room in Columbus, Ohio, on October 29, 2021, for a great show by his band, Hillbilly Casino.
Richard Heaser S1995 reported the following in January 2022:
Raul Victoria S1993 participated in The Spartan Ultra in September 2021, where he took FIRST place! He stated, “It’s a great experience where you have to take your body and mind to the test in order to achieve the goal.” Congratulations, Raul!
“I was a cadet at SJMA from 1990-1993 (8th-10th grades). I graduated from Bloomer High School in 1995. I served in the Marine Corps from 1995-1999 an in the inactive ready reserves from 1999-2003. From 2004-2011 and 2012-2021, I was an Artillery officer in the Marines. I also conducted two inter service transfers to the Army and back to the Marines in 2011 and 2012 respectively. I spent 25 total years in the service. Combat tours include Bosnia, Albania, and a couple in Iraq. I currently work at the Naval Warfare Development Command in Norfolk, Virginia, as an Operational Fires Expert for the Wargaming department. I reside in Virginia Beach with my wife Amber and youngest daughter, Skylar, of three daughters (Madison and Macy).” Pictured are Richard and his wife Amber.
In January 2022, David Mann S1994 sent the following message: “Shout out to the SJMA class of 1994! As the years go by, I appreciate more and more the experiences I had at the Academy. I continue to reside in Wisconsin, working for American Family Insurance in the role of Business Analytics Manager. I would like to wish a happy retirement to LTC Kebisek and a thanks to the many wonderful teachers that are still at St. John’s Northwestern, as well as those who came after 1994. You all have had such an impact on past and present students.” In July 2021, Michael Bork S1993 reported the following update: “I am excited to announce that after 10 years as the Parks and Recreation Director for the Fairbanks North Star Borough in Fairbanks, Alaska, my wife Mary and I are moving to Clackamas County, Oregon. I have accepted the position of Parks and Recreation District Director for the North Clackamas Park and Recreation District, just outside of Portland. I have spent the past 25 years in municipal Parks and Recreation, and in 2016, I earned my Master of Science degree in Industrial & Organizational Psychology, with a focus on Leadership Development and Workplace Wellness. I hope to be able to connect with fellow alumni and faculty in the area.”
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Alex Knudsen 2000 welcomed into the world baby Mason Alexander Knudsen on October 31, 2021. Alex reports that everyone is doing great!
This photo is of a recent family vacation in South Carolina (wife Leslie, me, and sons Jake and Bradley). SSG Kurt Vollmer S1994 and Zack Kazan S1996 spent April 17, 2021, in Jackson, South Carolina, at Cowden Plantation (home to Kenny Jarrett, the master craftsman of the renowned Jarrett Rifle). Zack drove down to try his hand at competitive long-range shooting, and they enjoyed some fun together like Old Boys do anytime they’re given the chance!
The Chicago Chapter of the OBAA hosted a Christmas party on Friday, December 3, 2021. The event was held at Maplewood Brewery, which is owned by Ari Megalis 2000 and Paul Megalis 2005.
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In January 2022, Jason Erlick 2000 reported the following: “After 20 years of service in the United States Air Force, I finally decided it was time to retire. I had originally planned on serving 30 years, but after my last deployment to the Middle East, followed by a 5-month COVID-19 activation, my family and I decided that the time apart was enough. It is sad to end this chapter, but I am thankful to be able to spend a lot more time with the family. I’m currently working in a logistics role at Ecolab and waiting to see if I’ll go back to teaching or not. I always enjoyed my time teaching middle school math at SJNMA.”
The lessons I learned from SJNMA have served me well in discharging my duties as a Train Master. I work with customers, crews, maintenance of way, mechanical forces, and other management in coordinating crews for customer needs and main line freight movement. The railroad life isn’t for everyone, but it has provided me with a career with upward mobility and financial security for my wife and kids.
Martin VanDenBerghe 2002 sent the following message in January 2022: “During my senior year at SJNMA, I learned to fly at Waukesha through the elective course Commander Thomas provided and received my Private Pilot License there. This past November has been the most challenging and difficult month of my professional aviation career. Filled with all the learning-lessons and feelings associated when one reaches for a higher version of themselves, I can confidently say that I’ve earned this. It is ‘a license to learn,’ but I am the Captain now.” Pictured is Martin recently on the job. In September 2021, Bret Davis 2003 sent the following message:
Antonio Matouk 2001 married Cristella Calderon on September 30, 2021, at El Gran Hotel de la Ciudad de México. The couple is doing very well and have settled in Mexico City. Cristella works in real estate, and Antonio runs a movie production company.
David Meicher 2002 won MADISON.COM’S 2021 People’s Choice for Best Accountant. David graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh on the Honor’s List with a BBA in Accounting with an emphasis of Legal Studies in Business. He joined Meicher CPAs, LLP in 2010 and became a partner in 2019. Congratulations, David!
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“I started attending SJNMA in the 1997-1998 school year as a 7th grade mid-term cadet. After my sophomore year, I steadily rose through the ranks and graduated as Battalion S2. At the Academy, I grew as a leader and a person. After graduation, I attended the University of Mississippi. Over the next few years I was fortunate to find rewarding jobs in everything from technology to competitive sailing. I met some of the best people along my path, and they always complimented my confidence and willingness to lead. During the fall of 2010, I took a position with the Indiana Railroad where I worked for six years before my wife and I had our son and ended up moving closer to Indianapolis where both of our families are. There, after running a West Marine store for a while, I realized that retail life wasn’t for me. In the spring of 2018 I earned a position starting a tourist railroad on the north side of Indianapolis at the Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad. In the spring of 2019, I took a position on their Board of Directors to further assist the operation. While continuing to sit on the Board, I joined the management team at Norfolk Southern Corporation in July of 2019 and still work there today.
The Academy has played a significant role in who I am today and who I hope to be. The camaraderie and support I gained through attending the Academy are still strong today, and the network of Old Boys and staff are unlike what you would find at almost any other institution.” Jose Targa 2004, Alpha Company Commander, and Rickie Goyal 2001, Alpha Company Commander, got together at Waikiki Beach on the Island of Oahu on August 5, 2021, to reminisce about their time at SJNMA and post-graduation!
Matt Schwartz 2005 spent the whole month of September 2021 in Ghana with an organization called GVI. His favorite part was teaching kids computing classes while drawing concepts on a broken chalkboard with no erasers. He stated, “They loved it! And they loved learning about computers and watching Tom and Jerry on a cell phone. My wife and I really loved the people and how happy and content they were with life. And they had the absolute bare minimum - houses with no windows or doors, for example. My favorite picture, below, is of me showing the kids a video of college football. They had never seen American college football stadiums before, so they were going crazy. One kid is wearing my hat. And you’ll notice that some don’t have shoes on.”
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In June 2021, Patrick Roob 2007 and Conor Clarke 2006 got together for the first time in 15 years, and their friendship picked right back up where they left it! Patrick said, “Thanks for hitting me up when driving through on your cross-country road trip, Conor! #MilitaryAcademyBrothers”
Carl Kuhn 2008 met up with Jordi Cortes Torres 2009 in Miami, Florida, at the Fontainbleau Hotel in June 2021.
In January 2022, Troy Maples 2005 sent the following message: “Meghan and I were married on August 21, 2021, in South Bend, Indiana, where we live. My younger brother, Cody Maples, who also attended SJNMA for a couple of years, was our officiant. Meghan and I have a baby boy due April 28, 2022, and I am also going through the process right now of officially adopting Meghan’s 5-year-old daughter, Holland. Our family will soon be complete!”
Paul Megalis 2005 and his wife welcomed baby Alexander on May 17, 2021. Paul reports that everyone is doing great! Nicolas is 2 years old, and Emilia is 4. Joe Palizzolo 2006 welcomed son Anthony Palizzolo on March 12, 2021. Joe reported in January 2022 that Anthony loves to eat and try new foods. Joe’s favorite thing to do with him is when he comes home from work. Anthony will reach his arms up for Joe to pick him up, and they’ll dance around to Anthony’s favorite songs.
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Pictured left to right, AJ Kramer 2006, Zach Johnson 2007 (and his two children), Cory Byrnes 2009, Matthew Johnson 2003, and Patrick Roob 2007 (and his twin boys) relived their high school glory days at SJNA’s state semi-final soccer game! In January 2022, Michael Cerier 2008 sent the following message:
Andrew Bradt 2009 and his fiancé Rachael Bronsted were blessed with a beautiful and healthy baby girl, Rylee Grace Bradt, in June 2021. Andrew looks forward to showing her around the castle and sharing with her some of the memories he has during his time at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy.
“I am a University of Kansas grad and moved down to Kansas City right after I graduated. I got married in 2013, and my wife and I have two wonderful boys! Our favorite family adventure is to head to Lawrence to watch our Jayhawks play football. Additionally, I just accepted a new role with RTS: Carrier Services in November as a business development manager.” Marcel Doe 2008 received his real estate agent license over the summer of 2021. He reported that his first year as an agent has been a little slow to start, but it has been very rewarding and a good challenge. He’s also working on a renovation team and is trying to pivot to rental property ownership in the future.
In August 2021, Cameron Mitchell 2009 was hired as a Pilot for Horizon Airlines in Seattle, Washington! Feel free to follow him on Instagram @iamcameronmitchell to keep up with his adventures.
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Peter Boburka 2010 married Maria in America on October 2, 2021, and they had a second wedding in Ecuador on October 16, 2021. They live in Schaumburg, Illinois, and Peter works as an event coordinator at Aurora University.
Yacoub Obie Kaloti 2009 and his wife welcomed their twins on May 2, 2021, and they are loving every moment of parenthood! Ameera is on the left and Amelia is on the right. “We love to go swimming together, and they love the water!” Yacoub said.
1LT Jordan Flaherty 2014 accepted a new position in December 2021 as the Operations Officer of the Wisconsin Joint Operation Center. The Joint Operation Center is responsible for maintaining situational awareness of all Wisconsin domestic operations and serving as the central communications and coordination node for the Wisconsin National Guard.
Anton LeBlanc 2015 married Jennyfer in Fort Meyers, Florida, on April 16, 2021.
Brad Roessler 2012 married Meghan Weber Roessler on October 2, 2021, at the Hilton in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. Brad is currently living in Atlanta, Georgia, working as an Account Manager for a global packaging company, Mauser Packaging Solutions, where he covers the southeast territory.
Eric Niederbrach 2010 married Sara on June 16, 2021, in Breckinridge, Colorado. They just bought a new home in Aurora, Illinois. Eric has been working as a realtor at REMAX of Naperville since 2014.
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Jorge Arciniegas 2013 was promoted to Senior Research Analyst in October 2021 at the University of Utah. In regard to COVID, Jorge remembers being on a walk with his fiancée toward the beginning of the pandemic. As the gyms were closing, she challenged him to train for and run a marathon. At first, he laughed it off because he hadn’t run more than 2 miles in years. But he eventually decided to commit to it. After a year or so of training, Jorge went out and did it! There still weren’t any events at the time, so he went out on his own with some friends as his support team. Way to go, Jorge!
Jackie Huang 2015 vacationed with friends in Europe in 2021, and his favorite experience was riding a hot air balloon in Cappadocia, Turkey. Seung Wan Jung 2015 visited campus with his girlfriend on January 13, 2022. Seung Wan graduated from Penn State in December 2021 with a degree in Information Science and Technology. He owns his own business, AppLinkers, which he started in Korea a year ago.
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Former First Captain Robert Hall 2017 graduated from the University of WisconsinGreen Bay in May 2021. Robert has been working at BMO Harris Bank in Green Bay, where he lives with his brother, Alex Hall 2012 (pictured far right). Pictured far left is their older brother, Kenny Hall 2009. In January 2022, Johnny Hirstein 2017 reported the following:
Zach Wiberg 2017 graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology on December 18, 2021. Currently, he’s working for Air Liquide as part of their ALLEX program, a leadership rotational program in the engineering electronics track. Zach is technically working from the office in Houston, Texas, but COVID-19 has made it remote work until further notice.
“I earned my associates degree in architecture at the College of DuPage in May 2021, and I am currently at University Wisconsin-Milwaukee working towards my bachelor’s degree in architecture. SJNMA prepared me well to focus and work hard towards my goals in life.” Simon Comstock, who attended SJNMA for a year in 2019-2020, has graduated from Army basic training after being at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, for 10 months. As of August 2021, he is now officially a U.S. Army soldier.
Members of the Class of 2020 surround their stone/bench after the 2021 Class Stone Ceremony on Friday, May 28. Gerald Gittens Jr. 2020 reports that he has been playing well for North Central Missouri College (averaging about 8.2 points a game with 3 assists and 3 rebounds). Classes are going well too! Brennan Timm 2021 earned Athlete of the Week honors at UW-Stevens Point by notching his first career doubledouble with 10 points and a game-high 12 rebounds at Trine on December 27, 2021. He also added a block and a steal.
Chris Slosar 2017 visited campus on June 24, 2021. Chris was an outstanding cadet while at SJNMA, and on May 22, 2021, he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point!
In sticking with a new tradition, on December 11, 2021, at the Army/Navy game, SJNMA alumni who are attending West Point and the Naval Academy posed for a picture together! Zhaole Liang 2017 graduated from University Wisconsin-Madison in May 2021 with a civil engineering degree and now works as a mechanical engineer.
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Pictured left to right: Max Johnson 2018, Hongbo Jia 2019, Matthew Moore 2019, Harrison Kampling 2015, Skyler Chauff 2020.
PFC Avante Siller 2021 serves in the U.S. Marine Corps and is currently stationed in Washington, D.C.
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In Memoriam We regret to announce the names of the following Old Boys, alumni, and friends who have passed away and were reported between November 2020 and January 2022. To report a death, please contact the Advancement Office at (262) 646-7289 or advancement@sjnacademies.org.
A L UM S … Frank Christian S1937 passed away on October 31, 2021, in River Forest, Illinois, five days short of his 102nd birthday. Frank lived in River Forest most of his life where he and his departed wife Ruth raised their five children. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII. Following his service, he ran the family business manufacturing caskets. Richard Alden S1940 passed away on December 13, 2019, at Gilchrist Hospice in Towson, Maryland. He was owner and president of Richard Alden Associates, an industrial sales company. Mr. Alden was a descendant of John Alden of Mayflower fame. Born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, he attended St. John’s Military, Milton College in Wisconsin, and the University of Illinois before enlisting in the Army Air Corps and serving in the Pacific. Robert “Bob” Brody S1943 passed away on February 26, 2020, in Aventura, Florida. Mr. Brody attended St. John’s Military Academy from 1938-1940. He was educated in engineering, economics, and business administration. During WWII, he served as a combat engineer with the 8th Armored Division, crossing the Rhine into Germany. Merle James S1945 passed away on February 13, 2020, in New Market, New Hampshire. Mr. James is a 1950 graduate of the University of Wisconsin (Phi Theta Fraternity).
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George “Skip” Cunnington, Jr. S1947 passed away on September 9, 2021, at his home in Milford, Connecticut, after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. After graduating from SJMA, Skip earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University and later received a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley. James W. Mann S1947 of Orchard Lake, Michigan, passed away November 1, 2020. Jim attended St. John’s Military Academy for four years. After graduating, he enlisted in the U. S. Army from August 1948 to August 1949. He then attended Port Huron Jr. College and graduated with a science degree, followed by attending and graduating from Hillsdale College. He met and married Patricia Papke in 1955, and they purchased a one-bedroom cabin on Middle Straits Lake in Orchard Lake, Michigan. They spent many years working together to turn it into a three story five-bedroom house, one he used as an office for his 65-year career as an Insurance/Investments Agent. Jim was the founder and president of the Middle Straits Lake Improvement Association for many years. He was also a member of Multi Lakes Conservation Club and a member of the Masonic Lodge #121 in Commerce, Michigan. Lowell Goldman S1949 passed away on May 9, 2020, in Prescott, Arizona. John Minniece S1950, of Houston, Texas, passed away on January 10, 2022. While at SJMA, John formed lifelong friendships and mastered his favorite sport, crew. Although he received an appointment to West Point, he chose to attend the University of Texas where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. After
serving in the Marine Corps, John returned to the University and earned a law degree, being admitted to the bar in 1960. He practiced oil and gas, banking, and real estate law. He was a member and Past Master of Gray Lodge and was also a member of Sons of the Republic of Texas, the Naval Order of the United States, Houston Military Affairs Committee, and the Texas Association of Former Marines. He was a longstanding member of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church.
Alan Angel S1952 passed away on August 7, 2021, in Thousand Oaks, California. Mr. Angel was a member of the SJMA Rifle Team (pictured) that won the 1952 Randolf Hearst Marksman Championship. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean war as a project engineer on the Mercury and the Apollo programs. After his service, he was an engine specialist for Pratt & Whitney/United Aircraft Corporation on the early YF12A / SR 71 Blackbird programs. Waring Jenkins N1952 passed away on January 12, 2021. He was Bravo Company Commander at NMNA. Waring graduated from Monmouth College in 1956 and then served in the Army for six years, rising to the rank of Sergeant. After his service, Waring was a devoted employee of Stamar Packaging for his entire career. Laurence “Chuck” Windsor S1953 passed away on December 26, 2021, at his home in Guanajuato, Mexico. Chuck served as
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Captain of Charlie Company, received the President’s Medal, and graduated with honors from St. John’s Military Academy, his father’s alma mater. He attended Grinnell College and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps where he was spotted for a minor role in the Jack Webb film “The D.I.,” and while “serving” in Hollywood received an appointment to the United States Military Academy. He attended West Point for two years, continuing thereafter to uphold the West Point motto “Duty, Honor, Country” and pursued a lifelong commitment to bridging the gap between military and civilian cultures. He was a communications executive at Time Inc. and Young & Rubicam, where he directed Army Recruitment advertising and served as Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, a three-star protocol status. Chuck was ever grateful to St. John’s Military Academy for providing a firm foundation for life and mentioned his gratitude and admiration for the Academy in his acceptance speech when sworn in as the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for the State of New York. For his outstanding achievements, dedication, patriotism, and service to the United States Military, Chuck was selected Honored Old Boy of 2006. Jared Miller S1954 passed away on December 22, 2020, in Canon City, Colorado. Jared worked at the Climax mine near Leadville. He was a member of the Air Force Reserves at Lowery Air Base for three years. He took on a steady job with the Colorado Department of Corrections where he retired as a Sergeant in
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1992. Jared was also a nature photographer and a painter who worked primarily with oils and watercolors. But above all else, he was a musician. His 50-year obsession with the four-string banjo allowed him to play professionally throughout America’s Lower-48 and Alaska. In June 2021, the Academy received notification that Kurt Stabenau S1954, of Ennis, Montana, passed away. Thomas Bogen S1955, of Lakeville, Minnesota, passed away on August 27, 2021. He served in the U.S. Army and was self-employed as owner of a sales promotion business based in Illinois. Tom was an avid golfer and made several “holes-in-one.” Raymond Winke S1957 passed away on April 21, 2020, in Rochester, Michigan. Mr. Winke served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1957-1964 and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. He continued his education graduating from the University of Detroit, class of 1965. Mr. Winke worked as a controller for General Motors until he founded an accounting and tax practice as an Enrolled Agent in 1978, where he worked until passing on the legacy to the next generation.
Lawrence “Larry” Cameron S1958 passed away on April 20, 2021, in Wichita, Kansas. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and worked as an electrical engineer in the aerospace industry, retiring from Boeing in Wichita. Anthony Nichols S1958 passed away on April 1, 2021, in Skokie, Illinois. He attended Northwestern University’s School of Business for three years, after which he joined Central Savings and the Naval Air Reserve at Glenview Naval Air Station. Mr. Nichols was president and CEO of Central Savings F.S.B. in the city’s Lakeview neighborhood for over fifty years, before retiring in 2017. He was a director of the Illinois Savings and Loan League, Bankers Club of Chicago, and Chicago Association of Financial Institutions. Stuart Parsons N1958 passed away on January 10, 2021, at his historic 150-acre farm home in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, where he lived his entire adult life. Stuart was the Battalion Commander at NMNA. He graduated from Harvard College in 1962. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1962-1964, including the quarantine of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and graduated from Harvard Law School in 1967. He joined Quarles and Brady LLP in 1967, where he specialized in securities and antitrust class actions. He retired in 2008 but continued to practice law.
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Harry B. Trout S1958 passed away on March 27, 2021, in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. He proudly served in the U.S. Army 2nd Recon 6th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Harry attended college at the University of Michigan, where he later received his Master’s in Arts & Education. Upon receiving his Master’s, Harry taught for 25 years in Ann Arbor and Detroit. Allan Dute S1959, of Cincinnati, Ohio, passed away on November 25, 2020. A 3-year cadet, Allan was a lieutenant in B Company. He participated in baseball, basketball, and golf and was a member of the Silver Rifles Drill Team. Allan’s son, Cody, is a 4-year cadet at SJNMA and will graduate in May 2022. Jerry Jana N1959 passed away on July 10, 2021, in Eastland, Maryland. Jerry completed his Engineering and Masters in Business degrees at Purdue University. Upon graduating, he proudly completed a naval tour in Vietnam aboard the SS Coral Seas. When he returned home, he joined Arthur Anderson, working in the early days of computer programming and installation, eventually entering the partnership, which took him to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Toronto, Canada. He finished his professional career with Price Waterhouse Coopers partnership in New York and Philadelphia. John “Jack” Moelmann N1959, of O’Fallon Illinois, passed away on December 30, 2021. Jack received his Bachelor of Science degree from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. He then received a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and rose to the rank of Colonel by the time of his retirement in 1991. His medals included the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit. In addition to Jack’s Air Force career, he also had a career in music, particularly playing the organ. He had been a member of the American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS) since 1967 and was elected as
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the ATOS Honorary Lifetime Member in May 1994 and inducted into the ATOS Hall of Fame in July 2008. In 2018, he was named the ATOS Organist of the Year. He has been listed in Who’s Who, the Dictionary of International Biography, and Notable Americans. Conan Cantwell S1960 passed away on January 30, 2018, in Baxter, Minnesota.
from the University of Denver Daniels College of Business. Peter was a successful business leader, entering the travel business in 1978 and navigating his company through an industry that was rapidly transforming at the behest of the internet. Peter and his wife ran Spirit of Travel and Classic Golf Tours for 16 years. After they sold Spirit of Travel in 2016, Peter continued arranging golf tours at Classic Golf Tours until June 2020.
John McKinnon N1960 passed away on October 28, 2020, in Bartow, Florida. John attended the University of Miami before going on to retire after a 30-year tenure as a Switching Systems Technician with Michigan Bell Telephone Co. He was a U.S. Air Force Korean War veteran, Quarter Master of the Fort Meade V.F.W., Vice-Commander of Fort Meade American Legion Post #23, former member of the Moose Lodge, and of the Protestant faith. LTC Wayne R. Sander N1960 passed away on June 29, 2021. Wayne lived in Niceville, Florida. John Ferguson S1960, of Woodward, Oklahoma, passed away on February 26, 2021. He served two tours in Vietnam from 1962-1966. John was a Sergeant and obtained the Good Conduct Metal, Rifle Expert, Vietnam Service Metal, National Defense Service Metal, and the RVN Campaign Metal. After his honorable discharge from the Military, John attended Oklahoma State University. He worked at Good Construction, Stride Well Service and as a rancher. Glenn Schoenenberger N1961 passed away in December of 2020. “He was a great guy who cared about his classmates!” – John Harrington N1961 Mark Wellman S1961 passed away on December 19, 2020. St. John’s prepared Mark for his duties during the Vietnam War in the U.S. Army. Upon his return, he worked for his father’s marketing company. His professional career went on to Commercial Real Estate. Peter Hellman N1962 passed away on September 26, 2020, at his home in Denver, Colorado. He was Battalion Commander and Class President at NMNA. Peter was born in Stockholm, Sweden, and immigrated to the United States when he was seven. He graduated from Stanford University where he earned a degree in economics and received a Master’s degree
David Rafoth S1962 passed away on August 7, 2021 in Dubuque, Iowa. David was a Master Sargent in Company C, and he lettered in both wrestling and football. After graduating from SJMA, he returned home to Dubuque where he earned a business degree, graduating from the University of Dubuque in 1966. He enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in Vietnam from 1967-1968, where he earned the Purple Heart. After being honorably discharged, David joined the family business, Rafoth Furnace and Sheet Metal Company. Following retirement, David and his wife moved to Asheville, North Carolina, to live in the Blue Ridge Mountains where he dedicated his time volunteering at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville. Larry Lawrence S1962 passed away on December 4, 2020, in Gilbert, Arizona. After graduating from SJMA, Larry attended Penn State University, then served in the Army from 1965-1968. Larry earned his Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management from the University of New Haven then worked in the Information Technology field supporting aerospace development at United Technologies’ Sikorsky Aircraft and Norden Systems for 20 years. Relocating to Arizona with his wife and son in 1995, Larry continued in the IT field with Allied Signal and Honeywell until becoming an independent contractor in 2002. Larry was a lifelong learner and earned numerous professional certifications including his Process Design Engineer, PMP, PMI, Six Sigma Master Black Belt, and Black Belt Assessor certifications. Larry eventually returned to the east coast to finish his IT career with the State Department in Washington, D.C. until retiring back to the warmth of Scottsdale, Arizona, in 2017.
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Wayne Schreck S1962 passed away on September 9, 2021, in Park City, Utah. Wayne was a 7-year cadet. He played hockey and was an allconference hurdler in track. He studied Marketing Management at Adrian College in Michigan and had a long and diverse career. He fed his entrepreneurial spirit when he owned and operated two businesses: in the early 1970s he and his wife ran the Strudel Haus in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a bakery specializing in European breads and pastries; and in 2001 he opened Pak Mail in Houghton Lake, Michigan, and later added a second location in Gaylord, Michigan. The years in between were spent working with Jacobson’s department stores in Ann Arbor and Birmingham, Michigan. Once retired to Park City, he greatly enjoyed part-time employment with Park City Mountain Resort at the Canyons. Jack Wiersma S1962 passed away on May 24, 2020, in Holland, Michigan. Jack was the Chairman and CEO of Nouveau Technologies, Inc. and subsidiaries, which is a bio-tech research and development company with offices in Tequesta, Florida; Princeton, New Jersey; and Germany. Paul Kolberg S1964 passed away on November 18, 2020, in Madison, Wisconsin. Paul attended University of WisconsinMadison. He worked for Kolberg Builders, Sub Zero, and later in life was a real estate broker. Roberto Solorzano S1964, of Costa Rica, passed away on January 30, 2022. Rev. Thomas W. Bye S1968 of Hart, Michigan, passed away on December 3, 2021. After his graduation from SJMA, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served four years, stationed in Vietnam and Germany as a medic. Tom received the Purple Heart Medal. He returned home to Peoria, Illinois, where he was a
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surgical technician and married Jeralyn “Jeri” in 1975. He attended Concordia Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and was ordained as a minister of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. Tom’s first call was to a dual parish in Hammond and Potsdam, Minnesota. Next, he served for twenty-five years in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He was also a police chaplain in Oshkosh and served on the Southern Wisconsin District Board of the Missouri Synod. He served most recently at St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Shelby, Michigan for the past ten years. He served in the parish ministry for a total of forty-years. He was a life member of the American Legion in Oshkosh. His Celebration of Life will be at 11:00 a.m. on May 28, 2022, at Benona Township Cemetery in Shelby, Michigan. Lunch will follow at Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, Michigan. John Krezel N1969 passed away on December 23, 2020, in Walworth, Wisconsin. Van Mehlos S1969 passed away on December 29, 2020, in Madison, Wisconsin. He was a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. William “Scott” Pace N1969 passed away on November 20, 2020, in Delaware, Ohio. Scott was a forever member of the NMNA “good old boys club” and earned a bachelor’s degree from Ashland College. He retired from the State of Ohio, Bureau of Disabilities. Mark Perry N1969 passed away on August 8, 2021, at his home in Arlington, Virginia. A widely published military and foreign affairs reporter, and historian, NMNA ingrained in him a respect and deep interest in the military as well as a commitment to live his life honorably, and with discipline and dignity. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in philosophy from Boston University
in 1973. Mr. Perry authored ten books that met with critical acclaim from The Washington Post, The New York Review of Books, The New York Times, The New Yorker, Kirkus Reviews, and many other publications. His work extended beyond his books, and while much of his time was spent researching and writing, he also did significant traveling and reporting in the Middle East, focused on Israel and the West Bank, starting with the first Intifada in 1987. Mr. Perry was a senior foreign policy analyst for Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF), an international humanitarian organization founded by veterans committed to conflict resolution and addressing the causes and consequences of war. VVAF co-founded the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and was awarded the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize. MR. Perry also served as editor of the Veteran, the largest circulation newspaper for veterans, and editor of Washington City Paper. He was the Washington correspondent for The Palestine Report, and a senior fellow at the Jerusalem Media and Communications Center. Most recently, Mr. Perry served as senior analyst at The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, continuing the work of diplomacy and crafting international peace. Sam Weller S1969 passed away on September 10, 2021. Sam became a general building contractor in Chicago, Illinois. He worked during the summer at a company in Alaska salmon fishing, which was then sold to large cannery companies. He then moved to Florida to start his own chartered fishing boat in Boca Raton, Florida. Sam and his wife made the move north to Four Lakes Golf Club in 2018 and finally settled down to the community they called home. Mark H. Bailey S1970 passed away on February 28, 2021 in Glendo, Wyoming. Mark was a longtime resident of Littleton, Colorado. He enjoyed restoring classic cars, boating, fishing, backpacking, and skiing. Henry Bucklin S1970 of Pompano Beach, Florida, passed away on April 23, 2021. Henry was a proud graduate of SJMA and served in the U.S. Army as an 82nd Airborne Ranger Radio Mechanic. He graduated from Western Illinois University with a BS in Business and moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked at Johnston Paper and owned a Maaco Franchise. Henry owned and managed Gulfstream Windows and Sliding Doors in Deerfield Beach and was a friend to employees, customers and vendors.
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Paul Isherwood S1978 passed away on December 13, 2020, in Orland Park, Illinois. Paul’s service to the Knights of Columbus spanned a course of over 39 years. He is a Past Grand Knight, Former District Deputy, and a Past Faithful Navigator of the Order. In the Fourth Degree of the Order, Paul served as Master of the Northern Illinois District and as Vice Supreme Master of the Marquette Province. He was also a proud member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre for a number of years. Jim King S1979 passed away on November 18, 2021, at his home in Red Wing, Minnesota. In his free time, Jim enjoyed fishing, hunting and working with animals. He volunteered at the Red Wing humane society and will be remembered as always finding the silver lining and humor in any situation. Ronnie Williams S1980 passed away on November 7, 2021, after a two-year battle with brain cancer. Ronnie, a forward from New York, was a four-year starter (1980-84), the SEC Freshman of the Year, a four-time All-SEC selection, and a senior team captain. He led the Gators in scoring for four consecutive seasons, converted 58.5 percent of his field goal attempts, pulled down 954 rebounds and hit 546 free throws. Ronnie, a member of the UF Athletic Hall of Fame, was selected 47th overall (the last pick of the second round) by the Boston Celtics in the 1984 NBA draft but never played in the league. He took a turn playing overseas, as well as runs through the Continental Basketball Association and United State Basketball League before retiring from the game in 1988. For the last two-plus decades, Ronnie worked at a juvenile detention center in Brooklyn.
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The Beacon | SPRING 2022
J Horacio Torres Cordova S1982, of Acapulco, Guerrero, passed away in January 2022.
Several years later, he traveled around the country from Colorado to Montana to Georgia, where he resided until his death.
Patrick McQueen N1985 passed away on April 9, 2021, in Harvey, Illinois.
Greg Gaskins S1987, of Spring Grove, Illinois, passed away on August 23, 2021. Pierre Vendredi N1987 of Kiefer, Oklahoma, passed away on April 19, 2021. Daniel V. Snyder III S1992 passed away on April 5, 2021. After graduating from SJNMA, Daniel graduated from Roosevelt University in Chicago (class of 2007), where he also got his Master of Arts degree (class of 2012). Daniel loved travel and adventure, and he visited many foreign countries before his untimely death at the young age of 46. A small memorial gathering of family and friends took place in July 2021 at his beloved St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy, where he was interred at The Columbarium. Eathan Guler S1990 passed away on December 27, 2021. Eathan earned a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He worked at SJNMA from February 2006-August 2008 as Assistant Deputy Director of Residential Cadet Life Services and was recently certified as a paralegal. Wayne Polk 1996 passed away on January 20, 2021. At St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy, he discovered his love for the military, in particular the Army. During the summer before his senior year, he joined the Wisconsin National Guard and went to Missouri for basic training. The following summer he received his specialty training with the guard as a hazardous materials truck driver. Wayne intended to go into the Army as an officer, but his ADD disability got the best of him, so he settled on being an enlisted soldier. After receiving a medical discharge, his next 10 years were in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he went to technical school.
Raul Elias Venegas 1995, of Caborca, Mexico, passed away in the summer of 2020. A 2-year cadet, Raul was a sergeant in Delta Company. He was an acolyte and participated in basketball, baseball, and football, and he was the recipient of several medals (individual and collective). Raul was known for his gas station companies and cattle ranches, and he was a member of the International Brangus Breeders Association (one of only a few in his region). His son, Raul, is a 4-year cadet at SJNMA and will graduate in May 2022. Chris Cassata 1997, of Anthem, Arizona, passed away on November 28, 2020. Armando Garcia 1997, of Monterrey, Mexico, passed away in January 2022. Joseph Jackson 2000, of Glenview, Illinois, passed away in December 2020. Ryan Krochmolny 2002, formerly of Bartlett, Illinois, passed away on September 15, 2021. Ryan had served in the U.S. Marine Corps since the early 2000s, holding key leadership positions as a Chief Drill Instructor and Scout Sniper Unit Leader. During his senior year at SJNMA, he was the Alpha Company commander and football team captain. Collin O’Brien 2008, formerly of Valparaiso, Indiana, passed away on August 8, 2021, after a long illness. Francesco Maciariello 2020, of Edgewood, New Jersey, passed away on March 26, 2001.
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F R IE ND S … Marjorie Hegner, of St. Petersburg, Florida, passed away on August 4, 2021. The wife of Frederick Hegner S1957, she was an adventuresome woman who truly enjoyed traveling and living abroad. She and Fred lived in nine countries and were married for 54 ½ years. Marjorie was a prolific artist, mentored by Sylvia Spicuzza, prior to her education at UW Madison and the Academia San Carlos in Mexico City. She was a devoted mother and grandmother. Janemarie Hillier H2020 passed away on October 16, 2021, in Brookfield, Wisconsin. She was a long-time resident of Arlington Massachusetts where she was Chairman of the Library Trustees of Arlington. Janemarie was a teacher for over 50 years. She was the founder of the Arlington Reading Clinic and managed it with her husband George H2020. Janemarie and George were longtime SJNMA teachers. Patricia Hoover, mother of Michael Hoover S1971 and Jim Hoover S1976, passed away on September 8, 2021 in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Pat was born in Chicago and raised in Park Ridge. She met Edward at the University of Illinois, and they married in 1949. She enjoyed traveling, going to the racetrack, cheering for the Cubs, and sharing family stories with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Judith Kaufmann passed away on February 3, 2021. After attending Oconomowoc High School, she attended the University of WisconsinWhitewater. It was while she was at
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UW-Whitewater she met the love of her life, Darryl, on a blind date. Darryl and Judy moved into faculty living at SJMA where Darryl taught and coached. She worked as a substitute teacher in the Kettle Moraine School District while their two boys grew up. Patricia Lindberg, of Peoria, Illinois, passed away on November 1, 2021. Pat attended Bradley University where she met her future husband, Carl “Charlie” Lindberg S1964, on a blind date. She was a speech-language pathologist for over 40 years, beginning her career at the Peoria State Hospital and then spending the majority of her career with District 150 schools. After retiring, Pat volunteered as an ESL therapist and reading tutor. Sheryl Sharp, mother of Jason Sharp 2005 and Jessy Sharp 2013, passed away unexpectedly on January 25, 2021. Sheryl was soft spoken with a big heart. She enjoyed country music, riding her scooter, and spending time with family. Mary Marik, wife of Warren Marik S1963, passed away on December 27, 2021. Warren and Mary have lived abroad and traveled extensively throughout the United States and overseas.
Lois “Bunny” Bacon Thomsen, wife of the late Carl “Tommy” Thomsen N1934, passed away on March 17, 2021, in Dallas, Texas. Bunny was born in Abilene, Texas. She attended Christian College in Columbia, Missouri and the University of Texas in Austin where she studied Interior Design and Architectural Engineering. She began a career in Interior Design, founding Lois Luhnow Interiors, and finished the interiors of some of the most beautiful homes in Dallas and other parts of Texas. She loved to sing and dance, she was an excellent skier, and loved to play tennis. Bunny was a member of the Dallas Junior League, Dallas Dinner Dance Club, Book and Drama Review Club, Dallas Country Club, Dallas Women’s Club and Dallas Ski Club. She was ball chair for the United Cerebral Palsy organization and a member of St. Michael and All Angels Church. She married Tommy in 1999, and they traveled the world together and had a ball! They had a lovely home in Palm Springs, California and were members of Eldorado Country Club. It is also said that Bunny never met a stranger. She was beloved by family, friends and business associates as friendly, outgoing, sweet and full of spunk. Bunny and Tommy were active supporters of SJNMA. Tommy was named Honored Old Boy in 2000, and they were members of The Heritage Society. They visited campus often, hosted alumni events at their home in California, and made substantial contributions while living and in their estate plans.
Founders’ Memorial Service In remembrance and honor of those who have passed, the Founders’ Memorial Service will be held during Commencement & Reunion Weekend on the morning of Saturday, May 28, 2022. Each name of the departed will be read, followed by the ringing of a bell and the placement of a rose.
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NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID DELAFIELD, WI PERMIT NO. 14
St. John’s Northwestern Academies 1101 Genesee Street Delafield, WI 53018-1498
SJNA Commencement & Reunion Weekend May 26-28, 2022 SJNA honored class years:
1947 – 75 th , 1962 – 60 th , 1972 – 50 th , 1997 – 25 th, 2012 –10 th SJNA cordially invites all alumni and their families to return to campus for reunion festivities throughout the weekend. SJNA also recognizes and honors classes celebrating every fifth year since graduation (classes ending in 2 and 7). Visit www.bidpal.net/sjnareunion to register today!
Academic OPS: Six weeks of learning and activities offer the opportunity for academic advancement in a structured and supportive environment.
June 27-August 5, 2022
Lancers Day Camp: An exciting fun-filled time with team-building games, archery, swimming, and more to keep campers all day long.
June 13-17, 2022
(maximum of 100 campers)
ST. JOHN’S NORTHWESTERN SUMMER ACADEMY Reach NEW HEIGHTS THIS SUMMER!
Raider School: An intense experience for young adults to overcome challenges, build self-confidence, and develop stamina.
August 6-14, 2022
For more information, visit www.sjnacademies.org/summer or contact the enrollment office at (262) 646-7199, (800)-752-2388, or admissions@sjnacademies.org.