VISIONSgrosscatholic.org

Recognition Day 2016page 8

Legacy Graduatespage 14

Celebration 32 - Our Grand Affairpage 17

SUMMER

DUX ESTO BE A LEADER

An Archdiocesan College-Preparatory

School in the Marianist Tradition

Gross Catholic President Dr. Dorothy Ostrowski

Principal John Schultz

Assistant Principal /Athletics and Activities Director Mike Dempsey ‘74

Chaplain Fr. Ryan Lewis

Development Director Terri Campbell

Admissions/Marketing Director Michala Jacobson ‘90

Special Events Director Dawn Sledge

Photography Gross Catholic Yearbook Staff Stephen Driscoll ‘10 Dale Schwalm

Visions Published two times per year by Gross Catholic High School, Bellevue, Nebraska ©2016, All rights reserved. Material in Visions may be reproduced, provided prior permission is obtained from the editor. Visions does not publish items announcing or reporting on activities contrary to Catholic Church teachings.

For Advertising Information Please contact Gross Catholic Development Office, (402) 734-2000, ext 121

Gross Catholic is an Archdiocese of Omaha school and is sponsored by the Marianist Province of the U.S.

5 MARIANIST BROTHER JOE BARRETT

6 MILESTONES FOR FACULTY AND STAFF/YEARS OF SERVICE

6 JERUSALEM FARM - SERVICE IN THE MARIANIST TRADITION

8 RECOGNITION DAY 2016

12 STATE SOCCER

14 LEGACY GRADUATES

17 CELEBRATION 32Catholic Schools

Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School is a faith and family based community committed to developing Christian leaders through academic excellence in the Marianist tradition.

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What is the Annual Fund? Why should I support the Annual Fund?

The Annual Fund is the single most important giving opportunity at Gross Catholic High School. We rely on the funds donated to the Annual Fund to support our Individual Tuition Plan Program that assists our families financially. With your help, students are able to receive an education that makes a lasting impression for their lifetime.

ANNUAL FUND

Go to www.grosscatholic.org to make your contribution to the Annual Fund.

Please contact

development@gcgmail.org

or 402-734-2000

for more information.

Spirit Strong!

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grosscatholic.org

Gifts to the Annual Fund are a primary source of income to keep

tuition to a minimum and ensure that Gross Catholic is accessible

to a diverse population. Each year we must close the gap between

tuition and the per pupil cost to educate each student. The per

pupil gap for the 2015-2016 school year is $2,500. Our fundraising

effort must raise nearly $1 million to close the gap.

If you haven’t given to the annual fund, please consider

donating today!

We truly appreciate your donations, and thank you in advance for

helping to keep Gross Catholic

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from the president

As our students return to the halls of

Gross Catholic, we continue to plan for

our future. However, we also take time

to review our accomplishments for the

year. As always, we are pleased to share

them with you.

This year we welcomed many new faces

to Gross Catholic and were very excited

to have so many returning families as

part of the ever-growing Cougar family.

We truly believe that the faith-based

education our students receive helps

them grow into wonderful young adults.

We are proud to be able to share this

excellence with so many families.

We are especially proud of the

graduating class of 2016. Again, they

have met the rigorous academic goals

set before them and are well prepared

for their future. We applaud their

achievements with 70% of the class

earning scholarships to colleges and

universities for the next year.

Our graduates were accepted to

many presitigous colleges and

universities, not only in Nebraska,

but throughout the country such as

Kansas State University, Briar Cliff

University, Benedictine College, St.

Mary’s University in San Antonio,

University of Dayton, Loyola University,

Morningside College, University of

Colorado, University of Missouri, Baylor

University, Clemson University, St. Louis

University, Colorado State, University of

South Dakota, University of Vermont,

DePaul University, Rockhurst University,

University of Iowa, and more.

We also are very proud of all of our

athletic and activities groups, who

throughout the entire year, have

worked to excel and have represented

Gross Catholic High School in such a

positive way.

Extra congratulations extended to our amazing soccer fans for receiving the coveted Sportsmanship Award in both the Men’s and Women’s team participation. This is truly an honor that acknowledges the exemplary behavior of great team support in the Omaha sports arenas. Way to represent the Cougar Family!

As we move in to the future, we

continue to plan and execute a number

of building renovations. Due to the

incredible generosity and support

of many donors to the Spirit Strong

Campaign, the Gross Catholic High

School community carries on with our

mission of educating of students in a

faith and family based community.

This past January, Fr. Ryan Lewis blessed

our updated Holy Family Chapel along

with our newly added Health and

Conditioning Center. These both have

enhanced the campus for all of the

Cougar family to enjoy. The installation

of our synthetic turf field is complete.

New bleachers were installed in our main

gym at the end of July. We invite you

to stop in anytime to see these many

wonderful additions. You are a part of

the family that we cherish and hold dear

to our heart always. Once a Cougar,

always a Cougar!

We look forward to seeing our alumni

at the All-School Reunion Weekend

festivities coming up this September.

Be sure to mark your calendar for

the weekend of September 23rd -

September 25th, with the Homecoming

tailgate and Football game to kick-off

our weekend of activities.

May God continue to bless each and

every one of you,

Dr. Dorothy Ostrowski

President

Congratulations to Omaha Gross Catholic High School Class B Boy’s State Soccer Sportsmanship Winners! @NENationalGuard

Congratulations to Omaha Gross Catholic HS - 2016 Class B Girls State Soccer Sportsmanship Award Winners!

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For the past two years, from the comfort

of his room in the Marianist Residence

at St. Mary’s University, 91-year-old

Marianist Brother Joe Barrett has made

phone calls — lots and lots of them

— to donors of the Society of Mary,

thanking them personally for their gifts

of support as part of the Ministry of

Gratitude. He was recruited for this

ministry by the Marianist Mission in

2014 — along with Marianists Father

Richard Loehrlein and Brothers Norbert

Karpfinger, Ralph Neumann and Tom

Spring. But no one has racked up the

phone mileage quite like Brother Joe.

He reached a ministry milestone this

Easter: He now has contacted more than

20,000 people — an average of about

27 calls a day. Each thank-you call has

been made from the telephone on his

work desk beside his bed.

Brother Joe begins each conversation

with: “Greetings, I’m Brother Joe from

the Marianist Mission.” The “trick,” he

says, is to immediately let people know

who he is so they don’t hang up.

The volume of calls Brother Joe has

made has taken a physical toll on his

right hand, but the satisfaction he gains

from them outweighs the pain.

“I can feel the person at the other end of the phone,” he says. “I’ve been able to bring love into the lives of many people, and that makes me happy at the end of the day when my head hits the pillow.”

Brother Joe has heard many stories from

people during these phone calls, some

happy and some tragic. He once phoned

an elderly woman, but a man answered

and said she would not be able to speak.

Brother Joe politely inquired, only to

learn that the woman had just passed

away and that the man, her husband,

was lying by her side, waiting until

emergency personnel arrived.

Pulling from decades of experience

as a former high school teacher and

counselor, Brother Joe did what he does

best: He consoled.

“Joe was the perfect person to be on

the line in that moment,” says Father

Richard Loehrlein.

A good-natured trickster

Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania,

in 1924 before the Great Depression

brought his family to Detroit, Brother

Joe’s religious roots were planted in the

Motor City’s west side at Holy Redeemer

Parish. There he began as an altar boy

in fourth grade and eventually attended

Holy Redeemer High School, a former

Marianist school.

“The nuns and brothers there were

people I idolized,” Brother Joe says.

“The brothers were such great teachers.

They were like dads to us.”

Inspired by the religious brothers in his

life, he knew early on that he wanted

to become one. Brother Joe professed

his first vows as a Marianist in 1943 and

perpetual vows in 1947.

His first assignment was teaching eighth

grade at Central Catholic High School, a

Marianist school in San Antonio. Brother

Joe went on to enjoy a 68-year career as

a teacher and counselor, with stops at

Marianist schools in Illinois, Wisconsin,

Missouri, Indiana and Nebraska.

His days as an educator have long been

over, but Brother Joe still receives letters

and phone calls (which didn’t count

toward the 20,000) from former students.

He still lovingly refers to them as “my

kids,” although he quickly reminds

himself they are well into adulthood.

A good sense of humor has characterized

Brother Joe throughout his life. He credits

his mother for helping him develop a

funny bone and maintains a reputation as

a good-natured trickster. He often answers

his phone saying, “Hello, God speaking,”

and when people are baffled, he laughs

heartily, before introducing himself.

But there’s something else that defines

this lighthearted brother.

“The ring on my finger, which I haven’t

taken off since 1947, stands for my

dedication to Mother Mary,” says

Brother Joe. Her devotion to Jesus is

the cornerstone on which the Marianist

charism was founded. “We’re here to help

her in her mission. If I’m ever feeling blue,

I look at it and ask Mary for help,” he says.

Marianist Brother Joe Barrett works the phones as an ambassador for the Society of Mary, offering gratitude, love — and a few jokes — to brighten everyone’s day.

Hold the PhoneBy Alex Z. Salinas

Reprinted courtesy of Alive magazine © 2016.

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Jerusalem Farm Experience Educates in the Marianist Charisms

Sixteen students from Gross Catholic High School made a special trip to do very special work this past Spring. The Jerusalem Farm in the Northeast Kansas City, Missouri area serves the many families in this part of the city that are living in marginalized situations. With help from those who volunteer at the Jerusalem Farm, lower income families are able to stay in homes that need repairs and assistance.

Spending one entire week at the farm was an eye-opening experience

for both the students and the three adults who accompanied them

on this trip. The Jerusalem Farm is a Catholic intentional community

founded on these four pillars: Prayer, Community, Service and Simplicity.

Through each of these ideals, the group grew in knowledge of Catholic

social justice in the real world. By giving up the use of their phones,

limited showering, and even one night without electricity, all of those on

the trip grew in their awareness of the situations and struggles that some

people have every day.

This is the eighth year that Gross Catholic High School students have

gone to areas of need and served. Liz Powers Schow ’96, was instrumental

in finding the Jerusalem Farm for students to do this sort of service.

Spending days with the group and sharing in community to build a deck

and clean an entire backyard of one man left quite an impact on the

students. The harsh reality of life’s situations in the lives of the people

that need assistance was not only overwhelming but also rewarding in the

end. With four feet of spent appliances and clutter in the backyard of one

home, the group tackled the clean-up and was able to assist a man whose

house had been destroyed. Not only are the situations sad and difficult

These three received special recognition for their twenty years of service to Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School. Those included in this incredible group are:

Tricia Riha Hughes ’92 Dan Connelly Sandy Antoniak

The Omaha Catholic Consortium is seeking alumni of our member schools to help us connect, share news, and to celebrate alumni events! Our alumni help keep our schools strong, successful and sustainable. Support from our many alumni helps ensure the future of Catholic education; however, keeping current with alumni information can be a challenge. If you attended Assumption, Holy Cross, Holy Ghost, Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Bernadette, St. Bridget, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Mary, St. Peter, St. Stanislaus, St. Thomas More, or Sts. Peter and Paul – we want to hear from you! You can email us at nlevans@archomaha.org or

you can register online at www.omahacsc.org/stay-connected/alumni/.

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for the home owners, but to be left in such disarray is discouraging. The

help offered is much needed and appreciated by those who are served.

“The first two to three days are very trying for the students

to give up their phone and normal comforts that they

are used to. Once they get engaged with the program

though, they really end up having fun.”

Liz Schow, Guidance Counselor Chaperone

Also along on the trip were Michele Greenhagen Sweetmon ’96 from

Campus Ministry and parent Toni Lundak. The commitment of the

students to the entire week is truly a gift of goodness. It helped the group

to build in community, and in their faith as well. With the help of our

students and those who also participate, the greater good of stewardship

and service can be seen firsthand.

Find us on Facebook & Twitterfacebook.com/grosscatholiccougars www.twitter.com/GCHSCougars

Check out Gross Catholic on Facebook and Twitter. “Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to receive the latest Cougar news, events and photos. Help us grow as a Cougar family!

Individualized Tuition Plans - Helping Families Say YES!

We work with committed families and students, one-on-one, to arrive at a fair, feasible Individual Tuition Plan. Individual Tuition Plans are confidential, based on your family’s adjusted gross income, and respectful of your family’s needs.

To learn more about how Individual Tuition Plans work, visit our website or contact:

Michala Jacobson, Admissions Director, at 402-734-2000 x126

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GROSS CATHOLIC SPIRIT AWARDThis award is presented to a male and female senior each year for academic excellence and promotion of the Cougar Family Spirit.

Regina Brokke and Jakob Mach

2016 STAN MACAITIS IRON MAN & WOMAN AWARD

Austin Sidzyik, Brittney Vomacka and Christine Felty

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALIST

Christa Holland

ORTMAN SCHOLARSThe Ortman Scholar Award is named for the school’s founding donor, Mrs. Louise Ortman Gross, wife of Mr. Daniel J. Gross. The Ortman Scholar Award is the highest academic award given to a graduating senior who has achieved academic excellence by attaining a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 or higher.

Front row left to right: Erin Williams, Emily Bogle, Kathryn Partusch, Sophia Ketchmark, Christa Holland, Alex Homan, Regina Brokke; Second row left to right: Brittany Fleming, Rebecca Ackerman, Allison Gradoville, Katheryn Caskey, Monica Blake, Megan Heffelfinger; Back row left to right: Tyler Nollett, Jakob Mach, James Lohaus, Christian Woodle, Thomas Cordwin, James Triplett

BROTHER LEO WILLETT, S.M. AWARD This award is given each year to a male and female senior student for four years of outstanding service, generosity, and gift of self to the development of the Cougar Family.

Michael Koenig and Maddie Cunningham

2016

MAN AND WOMAN OF THE YEAR Man and Woman of the Year is awarded each year to a male and female senior student for demonstration of the gift of self, leadership, family spirit, concern for others and the school, academic success, and basic integrity.

Megan Heffelfinger and Paul Connor

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SPIRIT SCHOLAR AWARDSpirit Scholar Award is presented to a male and female student from the junior, sophomore, and freshman classes for academic excellence and promotion of the Cougar Family spirit.

Juniors: Grant Huck, Anna Vigneri; Sophomores: Jake Pietryga, Emily Jacobson; Freshmen: Christian Riha & Meg McCoy

MOST REPRESENTATIVE STUDENT Most Representative Student for Exemplary Christian Lifestyle is presented to a male and female student from the junior, sophomore, and freshman classes.

Juniors: Sam Buck & Samantha Mora, Sophomores: William Buck & Kenzie Homan, Freshmen: Ben Yanovich & Allison Crane

LIFTERS OF THE YEAR

Robert Sidzyik-Prososki, Riley Donahoe, Hannah Penner, Logan Pleiss, Michaela Johnson, Luke Johnson, Mary Tisko, Steven Bergeron, Eric Mixan

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD KEY STAFFER AWARD

Kathryn Partusch with Dale Schwalm

WOODMAN OF THE WORLD SOCIETY AMERICAN HISTORY STUDENT AWARD

Meg Rice with Nancy Nollett

ENGINEERING/INNOVATION AWARD

Blake Dalmas, Chance Sauley, Thomas Cordwin, Steve Hamersky

REBECCA A. CLEVELAND FINE ARTS AWARD

Michael Koenig, Connor Moritz, Cassandra Johnson, Becca Jackson

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SHARON LEUSCHEN

After 21 years of teaching Spanish at Gross

Catholic High School, Sharon Leuschen

has retired.

When Leuschen started at Gross in 1995, her

oldest son was a freshman. He was the first

of her four children to go through Gross.

One of her favorite aspects of teaching at

Gross was getting to know the families of

students in her classroom. She’s gotten to

know many of those students and families

as they’ve grown up, especially since many

of those students were friends with her

children. “I’ve taught five or six children in

the same family over the years,” Leuschen

said. “That family connection is what I like

best about Gross.”

Leuschen has enjoyed teaching Spanish

so much because, for her, teaching

Spanish was more than just teaching a

language. “It’s not only language but you

teach culture, history, geography, art,”

Leuschen said. “It’s kind of the original

multidisciplinary class.”

Her teaching career included 12 years

teaching in Omaha Public Schools, four

years at Cathedral High School in Omaha,

and a year at St. Albert High School in

Council Bluffs before coming to Gross. For

the first 12 years teaching in OPS, Leuschen

taught Spanish and English, before

becoming exclusively a Spanish teacher.

Leuschen studied both Spanish and English

in college, honing her foreign language

skills by spending a semester in Spain.

The Spanish spoken in Spain, however, is

a little different than the Spanish taught

in American schools. “It varies greatly, but

it is definitely different than the European

Spanish as far as pronunciation, as well as

vocab,” Leuschen said.

“She has been an absolute gift and blessing

to Gross Catholic over these years,” Gross

Catholic President Dorothy Ostrowski said.

“She’s going to be very much missed.”

Leuschen is looking forward to retirement,

and plans to spend her time reading,

taking care of her grandchildren, and

traveling with her husband each fall.

JOCKO ILCISIN

Jocko Ilcisin has been an asset to the

Gross Catholic High School faculty for

over 30 years.

This past year, Jocko came out of

retirement to fill a long-term substitute

position in the social studies department.

Thank you for your 30+ years of service to

the Cougar Family!

LLOYD MILL

There are many pieces of our school

building and grounds to take care of in

order to serve the students of the Gross

Catholic Community. That’s where the

expertise of the staff is truly necessary.

Thankfully there are the special people

that do all of the extras to keep our school

going.

One such person has been Lloyd Mill.

Lloyd has been part of the team that

maintains the facilities for over twenty-

three years. Lloyd has remained a staple

of the staff that assists with all of the

operational nuts and bolts. Thank you

for your service once again, Lloyd! Your

knowledge has been instrumental in our

school’s continued growth and success.

THERESA HUPF

Do you know who has kept all of our

prospective student names updated in

an orderly fashion, mailed all sorts of

information out to these students, and

maintained her smile all the while?

Therese Hupf has been that person

who has helped to keep the stream of

new students “in the know” for the past

8 years.

retirements

Sharon Leuschen

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We invite you to honor your loved ones by enrolling them in the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Memorial Association.

This special memorial, created in 1983, serves two important purposes:

• It is a meaningful way to remember loved ones daily in the Masses and prayers of the students and faculty of Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School.

• It affirms your belief in Catholic education by supporting the students of Gross Catholic. Gifts to the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Memorial Association are accepted throughout the year as we support your prayer intentions.

The Cougar Family especially prays for the enrolled members of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Memorial Association daily. Please join with us as we prayerfully remember our loved ones, especially those who have preceded us and live in God’s presence. Memorials reflect those enrolled from January 1, 2016 to June 30, 2016.

Remember a loved one this season. Enroll them by using

the intention envelope included in this issue.

Doris AndersonWilliam BabbRon BarronRobert Broderick Sr.Morris BurnettTheresa ClarkGerard CrnkovichJohn Cunningham Sr.Virginia DeFordJohn DigginsKenneth DostalPatrick DowdJames FloodPeggy GordonCharlotte HakelThomas HallLogan Hanson ‘13Eleanor HanusConnie HellerRenee Sopcich Heyenga ‘87

Joseph Huss ‘05

David HybnerPatrick IdlerMary JacobsJeffrey JanakJennifer KleidostyEdward KoleyWayne KrauseLouise KrejciGervin KudronBernard LeuckMarge MacaitisRichard MachColleen Kay McMahonBro. Eugene MeyerpeterVes MillerSam MiloneOna MorinEvelyn NobleColey O’DohertyTherese PavlikEugene PeterDorothy Petrovich

Arlene ReinigMary Bosiljevac Richter ‘74

Patty Haried RothPhyllis SchneiderJack ScholzSophie SchwartzGeorge ShudinisMary SkradskiAndy SommerJacob SullivanKaren SvobodaDavid TackettJessie ThomasMarianne TrippWilliam “Bill” Van HauteCarol Van MetreAlice VandenbergHelen VistyThomas WeesCarol WhitneyRay Ziegler

in honor ofBob & Paula Allmon - Get WellDana PalmerJohn Wolff - Get WellScott Anthony Schilmoeller

memorials

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Memorial Association

Please pray for our recently deceased members of the Cougar Family. May the souls of the faithfully departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in peace.

Renee Sopcich Heyenga 1987

Logan Hanson 2013

Mary Bosiljevac Richter 1974

January 1, 2016 to June 30, 2016

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volunteer YOUR TIMEMembers of the Cougar Family are extraordinarily generous with their time, talent, and energy. Gross Catholic relies on our families, alumni, and friends to continue our tradition of excellence. Consider volunteering to help with one of our many events or student activities.

To volunteer at Gross Catholic, contact Dawn Sledge, Special Events Director, at 402.734.2000 x124.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Cougar Golf Classic: Serve on a committee to support the annual golf tournament.

Homecoming Tailgate Party: Volunteer to prepare, serve, and clean up following the Homecoming Tailgate Party.

Annual Fund Phonathon: Make calls to past donors to the Annual Fund and Alumni Legacy Scholarship Program.

Marketing/Recruitment Committee: Work with the Development Office to assist with the recruitment of students.

Post Prom: Serve on a committee to support the Post Prom event.

Daytime Office Help: Assist with Development Office mailings, stuffing & labeling envelopes.

Lunchtime Volunteers: Assist with supervising during student lunch.

Athletic Concessions & Tickets Sales: Help at the concession stands at various sporting events and at admissions table at home contests.

CeleBration: Serve on a committee to support the school’s largest fundraiser, our dinner & auction.

GeoGarden: Join with Keepers of the Garden, assisting with weeding, planting, winter & spring planting preparation.

Alumni Board: Work with the Alumni Director to assist with the Alumni program.

Winetasting: Work with the Special Events Director to set up and assist with Winetasting Event in November.

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Cougars Strike Twice!Both Teams Back at State Soccer

Both the Gross Catholic Boys and Girls Soccer teams qualified for the Nebraska

State Soccer Tournament this spring by winning their sub-state games on May 7th.

The boys traveled to Mount Michael, where they looked to avenge a loss in

overtime two weeks before. The girls hosted a challenging Waverly team at

Norris Middle School Berquist Stadium.

Our boys sub-state game was tied at the end of regulation 1-1. With less

than 10 seconds left in the first overtime period, Gross was awarded a

penalty kick. Michael Monico buried the ball in the back of the net, and the

boys hung on through the second overtime to win, 2-1.

Scoreless through regular time, our girls’ game was extended into

overtime. Sophie Ketchmark netted the game’s first goal about 2 minutes

into the first OT period. Waverly bounced right back and scored 45

seconds later. Tied 1-1 at the end of the second overtime, the game went

to a shootout. Placing the ball with confidence, the girls made 4 PKs in a

row while keeper Alex Homan saved 2 Waverly kicks to seal the win.

As boys coach Rick Yanovich stated in the Bellevue Leader, “The whole

school is excited with both us and the girls making it. I received a lot of

texts and emails from alumni and other coaches.

It was a neat community thing.”

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The boys played number one seed Elkhorn South in the first round of

State at Morrison Stadium. They fell to the Storm, 0-4, but played very

hard and finished the season with a great attitude.

The girls were able to make it to

the state semi-final by defeating

Columbus Scotus 1-0 in the first

round of state on a long distance

shot by junior Emma Novotny (her

first goal, ever!) They eventually lost

in the semis to Skutt Catholic.

They completed the season

ranked #4 in Class B.

To cap off a wonderful experience at Creighton University’s Morrison

Stadium, both teams were awarded the NCA State Sportsmanship Award.

Team members and coaches were presented the award after the state

final. The award takes into account the behavior and attitudes of the

players, the coaches, and the fans. This is the first time that Gross Catholic

has ever won the Sportsmanship Award. The school, the teams, and the

coaches were all very proud and humbled to receive this significant honor.

Overall, it was a fantastic season for both the boys and girls soccer

programs. The teams are looking forward to continuing their success.

The players are especially excited about playing their home games and

practicing on our new Field Turf next season. Donations are still being

accepted for the Field Turf portion of our Spirit Strong campaign! Help

out the teams by making your contribution now.

“One of the best things about going to state this year was I got to keep coaching our wonderful players,” said girls coach Jim Homan. “We have a phenomenal spirit and really grew together as a family this season. What a great ride.”

DANIEL J. & LOUISE GROSS DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR AWARDBilly Imig, LaVista Jr. High

FR. WILLIAM CHAMINADE DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR AWARDKelly Tammen, St. Bernadette

COUGAR FAMILY LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP AWARDSSt. ColumbkillePreston GreinerJames KolboKyle Wozniak

St. John the Baptist Nolan Lewandowski

Mission M.S Anthony Wiglusz

St. Matthews Aidan Nichols

Bryan M.S. Dominic Minardi

St. Vincent de Paul Alice Baker

St. Cecilia Dominick Bartels

St. Bernadette Erin Ruane

St. Gerald Collin Almgren Molly Mendick

Our Lady of Lourdes Joseph ConnellyBrandon Villanueva

St. Joan of Arc Jonah Hart

St. Mary’s Bellevue Jack Nam

St. Thomas More Blake McDowall

St. Robert Bellarmine Atticus Stansbury

Congratulations to our scholarship winners from the Class of 2020! Gross Catholic is proud to offer renewable academic scholarships to the incoming freshman class.

CLASS OF 2020SCHOLARSHIPS

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Legacy Graduates Number 32 for 2016… Keeping the Cougar Family StrongThere were 38 Gross Catholic Legacy parents this year.

Each was particularly proud to have their child join

with them in the special membership of distinction as

Gross Catholic Alumni. The Legacy families united for a

great photo at the Cathedral before the Baccalaureate

Mass on Sunday, May 22nd, 2016. Graduation was held

on Monday, May 23, 2016, at the Holland Performing

Arts Center. Now with over 8,200 alumni in the Cougar

Family, we look forward to celebrating the 50th

Anniversary of our great school. The Cougar Spirit

continues to grow.

LEGACY GRADS

Timothy Dean CollinsSon of Patricia Doolin Collins 1986

Madison Elaine CunninghamDaughter of John Cunningham 1982 and Tina Miklas Cunningham 1986

Kaylee Ann CulhaneDaughter of Bill Culhane 1986 andKelli Tangeman Culhane 1988

Thomas Jacob CordwinSon of Barbara Eickhoff Cordwin 1982

Steven William BergeronSon of Joan Sobetski Bergeron 1983

Daniel Thomas ColdanghiseSon of Michelle Hibbs Coldanghise 1978

Katheryn Rose CaskeyDaughter of Stephen Caskey 1983

Regina Lee BrokkeDaughter of Kim Novak Brokke 1981

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CLASS OF 2016 LEGACY GRADS

Ryan Patrick DickeySon of Tim Dickey 1982 andMimi Floerchinger Dickey 1989

Alexander John HerrenSon of Lisa Shrader Herren 1987

Samuel John FicenecSon of Don Ficenec 1984 and Janet Dempsey Ficenec 1986

Colton Joseph EgermierSon of Rick Egermier 1988 andMaureeen McKernan Egermier 1987

Sophia Josephine KetchmarkDaughter of Chuck Ketchmark 1980 and Betty Fibich Ketchmark 1983

Jakob David MachSon of Kris Meier Mach 1982

Jason Patrick KrepsSon of Jennifer Godfroy Kreps 1991

Andrew Michael KlingemannSon of Carla Schneider Klingemann 1981

Jack Contreras McNeilSon of John McNeil 1982

Matthew James MixanSon of Gary Mixan 1976

Eric John MixanSon of John Mixan 1980

Makenzie Anthony MitilierSon of Kevin Mitilier 1982

Cole Thomas NovakSon of Matt Novak 1983

Joel Thomas RinkolSon of Katie Vaske Rinkol 1991

Eden Grace PlaczekDaughter of Daniel Placzek 1980

Jordan Jeffrey PecharSon of Nancy Miller Pechar 1985

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CLASS OF 2016 LEGACY GRADS

Sydney Ann SakaloskyDaughter of Matt Sakalosky 1990

Benjamin Patrick StoysichSon of Patrick Stoysich 1982

Erin Ann SossoDaughter of Gordon Sosso 1978

Chance Albert SauleySon of Judy Petranick Sauley 1980

Dominic Clifford SwertzicSon of Chad Swertzic 1983

Noah Von ZeitnerSon of Kris Schneider Zeitner 1988

Megan Michelle WilliamsDaughter of Karen Janda Williams 1989

Jenna Nicole Van HauteDaughter of Dick Van Haute 1980

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CeleBration 32 was held on April 23, 2016, and was well attended by alumni, parents, and friends of Gross Catholic who came out in support of the students and programs. The chair couples, who are also one of the lifelong families to the Gross Catholic community, were Bob and Chris Larsen Watson ’74 and Roger and Jenny Larsen Hall ’77. This always fun and special event saw 430 guests in attendance and once again was held at the Embassy Suites, La Vista. With on-line bidding and a wide array of auction offerings, participation was stellar.

Gross Catholic President Dr. Dorothy Ostrowski declared the event a huge success raising more than $220,000 to support the students and programs of Gross Catholic.

Event sponsors included Excel Physical Therapy, CM’s A Cut Above, Foresters Financial and SAC Federal Credit Union. Along with our chair couples, there were many special guests including our religious priests and sisters from both the Marianists and the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Past parent and past CeleBration chair Laurie Callahan and current parent and board member Chris Reed ’86 served as Master of Ceremonies for the evening, while Mark Narke ’82 served as the auctioneer. Guests entered an elegant atmosphere at the Embassy Suites with table decorations and auction set up chaired by Michelle Pivovar Grzywa ’77 and Colleen Mimick. The evening began with the social hour and cocktails organized by Bob Sledge’84. Guests placed their bids on over 200 silent auction items and the beautiful baskets sponsored by the families of Gross Catholic’s supporting parishes. The silent and super silent auction was coordinated by Michala D’Ercole Jacobson ’90. Basket committees were chaired by Toni Lundak and Deb Egermier Rice ’86.

Fr. Ryan Lewis opened the dinner hour with the invocation and prayer. The Borsheims Bling Box Opening featured an exquisite White Gold Diamond Palm Cross Pendant for the grand prize winner, along with four other guests receiving Swarovski Bella earrings.

The Dux Esto Award was presented to Julien and Barb Van Haute and their family. Dux Esto is the motto of Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School and encourages us to “Be a Leader.” This award recognizes special alumni, faculty and staff, parents, and patrons who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and support of Gross Catholic. “Julien and Barb, their five children and their grandchildren are always the first to step up and volunteer on behalf of the Gross Catholic High School Community. Through their many years of service to Gross Catholic, the generations of the Van Haute family have generously given of their time, talent, and treasure to the Cougar Family,” said Gross Catholic President Dr. Dorothy Ostrowski.

During the Live Auction chaired by Dan Gryzwa ’77, Robb Huck ’88, and Patti Ziola Cavlovic ’84, guests bid on exciting items including concert tickets, an Okoboji time share getaway, and even an antique slot machine. Other live auction items

included a Husker Suite Experience, a NASCAR package, Jimmy Buffett tickets, and tickets for the College World Series. Patrons pledged more than $28,000 to the Bleacher/Gymnasium Upgrade project. Current parents Tony and Jane O’Brien Ulrich ’83 coordinated cashiering for the event. Mimi Kinsella Miller ’83 coordinated invitations and mailing. Victoria Campbell and committee organized the $10,000 raffle. This year Patty Rucha claimed the prize! Dick Van Haute ’80 chaired the Gold Cup drawing and awarded the $7,500 prize to Chris Reed ‘86. The $2,500 prize went to Table 29 (attendees that purchased their Gold Cup ticket as a group), and the $1,500 prize winner was Bill Larsen. The $1,000 prize went to Josie Deter and the $1,000 Early Bird prize was awarded to past parent Butch Kirkland. The evening was a grand success.

Thank you to the many people that helped to make this evening truly memorable. Be sure to visit Gross Catholic to see the many beautiful updates on our campus. The gymnasium and bleacher upgrades are complete. Many thanks to all who participated in this year’s CeleBration. Your generosity is truly appreciated by the entire Gross Catholic High School Community.

CeleBration 32 – Our Grand Affair

CeleBration 33 will be at Embassy Suites La Vista on April 29th, 2017.

we hope to see you next year!

Van Haute family receiving the Dux Esto Award

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Deacon Scott Schilmoeller Shares His Authenticity of Faith

Joining the seminary after college,

Scott Schilmoeller, Gross Catholic

graduate of the Class of 2006, found

that his greatest joy is helping others

know the amazing relationship that

each person can share with the Lord.

Scott recalls his faith life being largely

impacted by his theology classes

at Gross Catholic with Father Steve

Emanuel and Mr. Dan Connelly. He

remembers stories they told that guided him to become a closer follower

of Jesus Christ.

Scott went on to attend the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and has

spent much of the last six years in prayerful contemplation, learning the

many aspects of the Catholic faith. This interest again sparked with his

involvement in FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) at

UNL’s Newman Center. Scott drew from the group’s mission to know and

love Jesus Christ as Catholic students, to discover His will in our lives, and

to serve Him and His Church.

After great discernment, studying, and praying, Scott entered the

seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He studied at Saint John Vianney College

Seminary, and then entered Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis for his

formation to the priesthood. Scott was ordained a deacon on May 27,

2016, at St. Cecelia’s Cathedral in Omaha. Father Andrew Roza, Director

of Vocations for the Archdiocese, noted that Scott is a great man who will

be warmly welcomed into the Omaha area parishes.

Scott found through his own experience that people can “gain so

much from the unexpected by trusting in the Lord to lead, even though

sometimes the experiences that you have may include fear of what may

be around the corner.”

His fear gave way to the joy and happiness of being one in the Lord with

others. Scott felt that belonging to this faith community where he felt

such inclusion, gave true meaning to the every-day aspects of life. He has

found that this is a message he wants to share with others: “If you let Him,

the Lord comes in the normalcy of life and sheds meaning for us.”

spotlightMary Kate McCoy ‘11, daughter

of Kevin (‘83) and Colleen

McCoy, and Tyler Herek ‘10,

Son of Bill Herek ‘83 and Cris

(Mill) Herek ‘83 were married

on June 11th at St Bernadette.

Included in the wedding party

were Emma McCoy, Ben Herek,

Brett Andersen, Joe McCoy ‘15,

Morganne Herek ’13, Stephen

Krupa ‘10, Tim Brown ‘10, Molly

McCoy ‘17, Christian Moran ‘09,

Meg McCoy ‘19, Derek Hitz ‘84

and Matthew Wanek ‘10.

weddings

We would love to hear from our Gross Catholic Alumni. You can update your information and/or

submit alumni news by visiting the Alumni section on our website. Check it out!

grosscatholic.org

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As we celebrate almost 50 years of excellence in education, we look to the future. We have a responsibility to ensure that the next generation of the Cougar Family continues the strong Gross Catholic family tradition and continues to provide excellence in education and spiritual growth so that all generations can live Spirit Strong!

ARE YOU READING VISIONS

where in the world

XI’AN, CHINA

UGANDA, AFRICA

Sarah Mimick ‘12 traveled to Xi’an, China for a University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing international experience. She spent four weeks studying nursing with Chinese nursing students. Sarah observed in their hospitals and was able to learn more about the Chinese culture and their modern and traditional medicine, including techniques such as cupping and acupuncture.

Emily Fanslau ‘13 spent one month during May and June in Uganda, Africa, on a nursing service/learning mission. She spent most of her time in the cities of Kalongo and Gulu, working in the hospitals, midwiferies, and orphanages. She climbed the mountain and worked in the midwifery in the background of the picture. Emily is a nursing student at Rockhurst University in Kansas City and plans to graduate at the end of this school year.

grosscatholic.org7700 South 43rd StreetBellevue, NE 68147

GRANDPARENTS DAY MASS Friday, September 9th, 201611:00 a.m.

COUGAR CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT Monday, September 19th Eagle Hills Golf Course

HOMECOMING - Alumni Tailgate/ All School Class ReunionFriday, September 23rd, 2016 Chili Feed4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.Field Rededication & Blessing of the New Turf on the Stan Macaitis Field 5:45 p.m.Gross Catholic vs. South Sioux City Homecoming Football Game 7:00 p.m. Sunday, September 25th, 2016 All School/All Alumni Mass at Gross Catholic High School 12:00 Noon

upcoming

congratulations class of 2016!

SUNDAY, NOV. 13 11AM - 2PM

GROSS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

OPEN HOUSE FOR 5th-8th GRADERS

FUTURE COUGARS

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PaidOmaha, NE

Permit No. 1388