Bishop Carroll News • Spring 2014 1

www.bishopcarroll.com Spring 2014

For Alumni, Families and Friends

Fulfilling the promise to educate students in

Spirit, Heart, Mind and Body.

Ranked One of America’s Top 50 Catholic High Schoolsby the National Catholic High School Honor Roll

BC students help St. Michael’s students celebrate Read Across America.

Bishop Carroll Board of Trustees

(as of April 1, 2014)

Father Leo Arnone

Roy Holtz ’75

Carol Keim Parent of Nick ’07, Drew ’09, Alex ’15, Liz (Holy Name)

Pat Krug ’87 Spouse of Viki (Hodge) Krug ’88; Parent of Jarod ’12, Haley ’14, Brittany ’17

Mary Beth (Ludwig) Lieb ’69 Spouse of Ralph ’65; Parent of Robert ’96, Marie ’97, Martin ’98, Aaron ’00, Ben ’02

Bob Martinazzi Parent of Robert II ’86, Maria ’88, Amy ’91

Robert Maruca ’80 Parent of Rob ’09, Marc ’11, Nick ’12, David ’14

Greg Neugebauer ’01, Chair

Jo‑Ann Semko ’76

Victor Tranquillo ’78 Parent of Victor ’08, Vinnie ’11

Philip Woo Parent of Christian ’08, Ryan ’10, Dane ’15

Do you get emails from BC?

If not, please give us your email! You can either add it to the

enclosed gift envelope when you send your annual fund donation, or submit it online under the ALUMNI

tab at www.bishopcarroll.com.

What’s the difference? This is a question parents and families ask

themselves when they enroll their chil-dren at Bishop Carroll, or any Catholic school, and probably when they write their tuition checks every month. Why am I willingly parting with my hard-earned money when my kids could attend a public school? Choosing a Catholic education is a deliberate action that parents make for deeply personal reasons, but on the whole, what is the difference? Recently, public schools began adding character development programs to combat issues like bully-ing. Character education has always been part of the values-based curriculum at Bishop Carroll. Grow-ing students into respectful young adults has consistently been an integral part of a BC education.

Likewise, service to others is at the foundation of Catholic education. Bishop Carroll students devote many hours to helping others and serving our commu-nity as an educational requirement and pre-requisite for participating in extracur-riculars. More importantly, they do so joyfully, approaching each service project or activity as both a blessing and a com-mitment of their Catholic faith.

Achieving academic excellence is the goal of any school, public or Catholic. High-level athletic and artistic talent also can be found in both types of schools. At Bishop Carroll, teachers strive to edu-cate the “whole student;” teachers and coaches devote personal attention to each individual student’s unique needs and learning styles. Through this approach, each student is given the instruction and encouragement to achieve their own po-

tential both in academics and in athletics and activities.

Perhaps the biggest difference is found in Bishop Carroll’s environment in which prayer is an important compo-nent of the school day. Students are able and encouraged to embrace the power of prayer and to talk openly about God’s blessings. This atmosphere naturally

lends itself to strong, respectful relation-ships with teachers, coaches and peers, and to the development of a caring, family-like bond.

What does this difference mean to you, as an alumnus or a friend of Bishop Carroll?

Believe it or not, YOU make this dif-ference. YOUR support for our teach-ers, students, staff, coaches and families makes it possible for Bishop Carroll to continue its more than 50-year tradition of Catholic education. YOU drive our mission to educate students in spirit, heart, mind and body.

The difference of a Catholic education at Bishop Carroll is YOU.

Your support is our greatest blessing… we prayerfully ask you to remember Bishop Carroll in your charitable giving as our fiscal year-end of June 30 approaches. Gifts can be made using the enclosed envelope, or online at www.bishopcarroll.com.

What’s the Difference?

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Bishop Carroll: Wish List 2014

Alumni Reunion: Class of 1963

Thanks to support from alumni and friends of Bishop Car-roll, we continue to check off items from our Wish List!

While many items are still needed, your support has helped purchase safety and security upgrades, classroom materials, equipment for science labs and the music program, and scholarships for students to attend faith-based conferences and retreats.

In addition, the class of 1977 donated a collective $30,000 which replaced all the computers in our computer lab. There is still a need for several laptops and mice with USB plug-ins.Thank you donors!

In January, Bishop Carroll faculty and staff were re-certified in CPR and learned to use the AED (automated external defibrulator). The school currently has one unit kept in the gym and is in need of two more, one for the main building and one for the International Program at Aquinas Hall. Donations toward these items are appreciated.

As always, every department and classroom has needs for new equipment and classroom materials. A full wish list is also available on our website at www.bishopcarroll.com. If you have a passion for a particular subject area or activity, consider a gift that is meaningful to you. Our teachers, students, coaches and staff are grateful for your support!

Members of the first graduating class of Bishop Carroll celebrated

their 50th anniversary the weekend of September 27th and 28th. An informal get-together, hosted by one of the class members, was held at the Blairmont Club in Hollidaysburg on Friday night.

Saturday’s celebration began with a con-celebrated mass at St. Rose of Lima in Altoona. Fr. Noel Rothrauff, OSB was the main celebrant. Fr. Noel was the senior class adviser 50 years ago at BCHS. The con-celebrants were: Fr. Carl Spishak, a member of the first faculty

at BC; Fr. Walter Moll and Fr. Ken Phillips, TOR, both members of the class of ’63; and Fr. Brian Saylor, pastor of St. Rose and son of Helen Saylor ’63. A dinner and a night of renewing old friendships and reminiscing followed at the Altoona Ramada. Three additional

faculty members attended the dinner: Msgr. Arnold Gaus, Fr. Paul Robine and Ms. Betty Lazere.

Contact Ron Smithmyer at 814-472-5108 (home), 814-244-7702 (cell) or 814-248-0062 (cell).

Congratulations on this year’s inductees into the PAW

Power’s Athletic Hall of Fame: State Championship girls’ basketball teams from 2002 and 2003; Anthony Piccioni ’01; Deacon Rick Golden ’68; and Chuck

Sponsky! PAW Power awards teams and individuals in appreciation for all they have done, and continue to do, for Husky Athletics! Inductions took place at the third annual dinner induction on Saturday, April 5.

The First 50th: Class of 1963 Celebrates 50 Years

Con-celebrants were from left to right: Fr. Brian Saylor, pastor of St. Rose of Lima; Fr. Ken Phillips, TOR, class of ’63; Fr. Noel Rothraff, OSB, faculty member and senior class advisor in

1963; Fr. Walter Moll, class of ’63; and Fr. Carl Spishak, faculty member in 1963.

A Memorial Gift

Becky Kelly ’73 and children Jill ’01, Bryan ’04 and Matt

’08 send a contribution each year to keep the Sanctuary light in the chapel burning in memory of Becky’s parents David and Mary Kibler.

PAW Power Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees Honored

Bishop Carroll News • Spring 2014 3

A love for music and performance instilled and developed at Holy Name School and Bishop Carroll started Bill Rhoades on a lifelong journey of spread-ing joy through music. It all began with playing the trumpet in 4th grade. After graduating from Holy Name in 1968 and BC in 1972, Bill went on the earn a Bach-elor of Science in Music Education from Edinboro University in 1975.

In 1981 he joined the faculty at Holy Name School in Ebensburg as the general music teacher and choir director. In 1999, his role encompassed the band program, which had 12 students at the time.

Today, Bill teaches music to grades K-8, plus 6th and 7th grade physical education, and directs a 91-student choir and 68-student band representing grades 4-8. Many of Bill’s band students play 2 or 3 instruments, and all students in 4th through 8th grades learn to play three octaves of hand bells. Students learn all types of music, including litur-

gical, classical, jazz and rock. They per-form at their own Christmas and spring concerts, as well as at masses. Special performances have included: mass for the Bishop at St. Michael in Loretto and for the induction of the new president at Mount Aloysius College.

Bill’s students cite his enthusiasm and his engaging teaching style for helping them find and fulfill their own musical talents. Bill credits the music program’s success to “support from par-ents, pastors and a great principal who gives him the freedom to bring out the students’ talents; and, God for giving me the time to do what I do.”

“Many times in 33 years I thought about getting another job, but my wife Marie would say ‘this is where God wants you to be,’” Bill said. “Finan-cially, it wasn’t the best choice, but we did a variety of things to supplement our income so that I could continue at Holy Name. We operated a pre-owned car business for five years and a home remodeling business for five years. Now, I have 25 private piano students and I own and operate an Auto Body Shop.”

Bill still makes time for music in his personal life, performing with his daughters at weddings and provid-ing music for three Saturday masses at

St. Benedict’s in Carrolltown and one at Holy Name each month. He also plays the organ and cantors for Sunday masses at St. Bernard’s in Hastings and one Sunday a month with the Children’s Choir at Holy Name.

After joining a Polka Band in 7th grade as the trumpet player, he became lead singer, keyboard player and brass player for a variety band, spending the next 20 years performing at weddings, dances and nightclubs. Believe it or not, along the way he’s also made time to take classes on leadership and has spoken in 4 states and in Canada on leadership development.

“People ask me why I’m still teach-ing and when I’m going to retire,” Bill says. “I do what I do because I want to see Catholic education continue in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese for my grandchildren. I’ll retire when it’s no longer fun to see smiling faces as they sing and play music.”

From the sound of it, that probably won’t be anytime soon.

Bill is married to Bishop Carroll high school sweetheart Marie (Strittmatter ’72). Their four children attended Holy Name and Bishop Carroll: Mary Beth ’01, Julie ’03, Bill ’08 and Susie ’10.

Alumni Profile: Bill Rhoades ’72Joyful Noise: Bill Rhoades ’72 Continues Long Musical Tradition at Holy Name School

“I do what I do because I want to see Catholic education continue in the Altoona-

Johnstown Diocese for my grandchildren.”

Sam Albarano ’69 and Gary Gill ’72 celebrated their ordination into the Diaconate in 2013. They are

pictured here at Aquinas Hall.

Alumni Ordained as Deacons

Students who benefit from Named Scholarships spend time writing thank you notes to the generous donors who help

make their education at Bishop Carroll possible. Donors are always moved by these personal, hand-written notes. Here are just a few excerpts from a recent batch of Thank Yous…

“It is so nice to know through this scholarship that you believe in me.”

“Your donation has made it possible for me and many other students to attend Bishop Carroll. I hope to someday be as generous as you have been.”

“Your gracious generosity inspires me to want to make a difference in other people’s lives.”

Thank You NotesStudents Offer Appreciation to Donors

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Huskies Take District 6 in Undefeated Season, Fall in State Semifinals The Huskies boys’ basketball team ended another stellar season going unde-feated and winning the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference Championships and the District 6 Championships. After defeating North Catholic in an excit-ing overtime win in the State Quarterfinals, the Huskies fell to Lincoln Park in the semis. Athletic Director Joe Skura and Coach Cosie Aliquo expressed pride in team’s performance and their attitude as they approached each and every game believing they could win and giving their best effort. “We are really proud of this team and the way they have played with heart and class,” said Skura. “They have represented us so well on and off of the court, and really brought the BC family together in watching them play this season.” The team was led by senior Marcus Lee and junior Brandon Martinazzi, both of whom scored their 1,000th career points during the season. Seniors David Maruca, Mitchell Madonna and Marcus Lee each received ovations from the crowd as they exited the court following their final game. Seniors Nick Burk, Kobe Lan, and David Li also wrapped up their basketball careers for Bishop Carroll in the successful campaign. Skura noted that a great following of BC fans turned out, especially in the team’s playoff run. “It was really awesome to see all of the support from so many people during the season, especially how we filled the stands in the playoffs,” he said. “A special thanks on behalf of our school, team and coaches to everyone who came out to support the guys.”

Graduating seniors posing with their families during senior night for the

boys’ basketball team.

Mr. Skura congratulated Carly Grove and Julianne Hutsky as

they head to Penn State for districts in swimming.

Marcus Lee earned his 1,000th career point at

Forest Hills. Way to go, Marcus!

Junior Brandon Martinazzi celebrates his 1,000th career point with his family.

Boys’ Basketball team poses for a picture after winning their first LHAC championship.

The Lady Huskies chose Valentine’s Day to honor their seniors.

Student Achievements

Bishop Carroll News • Spring 2014 5

Student Council Collected items for 50+ Jared Boxes to be delivered to

children’s hospitals.

Color coordinated couples strike a pose at the Snowflake Dance.

Student council and music students spread holiday cheer to area nursing homes with cards and songs.

This year’s Snowflake Dance was a great time to hang out with friends.

Marissa Kaufman represented BC at the 2014 PMEA All State Music Festival for chorus--way to go Marissa!

Cast members from BC’s spring musical Little Shop of Horrors,

Alex Way and Marissa Kaufman, appeared on Central PA Live to

perform a song from the show.

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An Early Calling“I owe a lot of my decision to become a priest to Bishop Carroll,” says Msgr. David Lockard. “At a three-day retreat I picked up a pamphlet called God is Calling You to Be a Priest. I really picked it up just to kill time, but I read it and it really made sense to me. It was at the end of my 9th grade year.”

After many years at Our Lady of Victory parish and school in State Col-lege, Msgr. Lockard is now pastor at his hometown church and school, Holy Name in Ebensburg, and is excited to be near his alma mater, Bishop Carroll.

Remembering his high school years, he recalls the “atmosphere of prayer,” regular visits to the chapel and weekly masses, and how these activities influ-enced him in his life’s path. While the pamphlet planted the seed of the idea in him, he says, most of his teachers were priests, and many of them were inspir-ing to him and this certainly factored heavily into his decision to enter the seminary.

Catholic Education: It’s Worth itMonsignor Lockard is encouraged to see that many Holy Name students go on to

attend Bishop Carroll. During his years at BC, there was no tuition. Classes were taught by nuns and priests who made just $85/month at the most. Nowadays, he says, parents often sacrifice to afford tuition, and a shrinking population in the region is challenging Catholic schools to keep enrollment numbers up. But he’s committed to helping schools keep pace, and his message to parents: Catholic education is worth it.

The International Program at Aqui-nas Hall is particularly impressive to Monsignor Lockard, who will baptize a Chinese student from the program into Catholicism this spring.

“I think that’s wonderful. The goal of the program is not to recruit Catholics, but it speaks to the strong faith commu-nity at Bishop Carroll he took the step to be baptized. There is no financial or social reward for the student,” he says, “so this is truly an act of courage and faith.” Monsignor believes his decision

directly reflects the education and envi-ronment at Bishop Carroll.

Alumni are Stewards of School SpiritMonsignor also has a message for his fellow BC alumni, not just his class of 1966: “Make Bishop Carroll a priority, keep the spirit going!” He acknowl-edges that it isn’t always easy to make time or easy to travel, but asks alumni to remember they wouldn’t be who they are without Bishop Carroll. He encour-ages alumni of all ages to come home to visit, attend reunions, and keep up with newsletters and online.

He hopes younger alumni will get in this habit early and use BC as a beacon as they work to find their place in the bigger world. Although graduating se-niors might be eager to move on, Mon-signor cautions them, “The longer you are away, the harder it will be to return, but the more you will miss it. Make sure you keep in touch. ”

Finally, he says, young or old, student or alumni, maintain the sense of community, work to relate to one another. He says, “We can all learn from each other. We are all part of the fabric and history of Bishop Carroll.”

Alumni Profile: Msgr. David Lockard ’66Msgr. David Lockard ’66 Returns to Ebensburg, Encourages Alumni to Find their Way Home“Make Bishop Carroll a Priority, Keep the Spirit Going.”

“We can all learn from each other. We are all part of the

fabric and history of Bishop Carroll.”

Sarah (Byrnes) Metts ’00 was published in the Catholic News

Agency’s Catholic Womanhood blog, sharing her experience being stuck in Atlanta traffic with her two young sons, ages 4 years and 4 months, for eight hours during a recent snowstorm. She analyzes her experience using inspiration from Fire Within, by Fr. Thomas Dubay,

which she had been reading in the weeks prior. The book explains and comments on St. Teresa of Avila’s masterpiece, the Interior Castle, and Sarah beautifully ties the books themes to her own trying experience. The full post by Sarah is available at the link: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/cw/post.php?id=748

Sarah is a freelance writer, copy edi-tor, and aspiring Spanish historian. She holds a bachelor’s degree in History and a master’s degree in Counseling from Franciscan University of Steubenville. She and her husband Patrick reside in the Atlanta area with their sons Jack and Joseph.

Alumni News

BC Alum Caught in Atlanta Snowstorm Traffic Writes About Her Experience

Bishop Carroll News • Spring 2014 7

Joseph Bentivegna M.D. has announced that he will seek the

Republican nomination for the United States House of Representatives in the 4th District of Connecticut.

Dr. Bentivegna, formerly of Loretto, is a graduate of Saint Michael Elemen-tary School in Loretto, Bishop Carroll High School in Ebensburg, and St. Fran-cis University, where he graduated with honors. He received his medical degree from the Hershey Medical School, and completed his internship in ophthalmol-ogy at Brown University. Dr. Bentivegna worked for a year as a volunteer physi-cian in Haiti, for the Missionaries of Charity, the Order of Mother Teresa. His book on the experience, The Neglected and Abused: A Physician’s Year in Haiti is often used as a college text. In later years, Dr. Bentivegna established an eye

surgery clinic in Haiti. He is a syndicated columnist, writing numerous articles on health care, tort reform, Haiti and Wall Street reform. Dr. Bentivegna has maintained a private prac-tice as an ophthalmologist and eye surgeon in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, for over 25 years.

The theme of Dr. Bentivegna’s Con-gressional campaign is the “Massacre of the Middle Class.” He believes that major financial interests, high taxes, and government regulation are destroy-ing the American Dream, resulting in little job growth or opportunities for young families. Dr. Bentivegna believes that Obamacare must be repealed but has proposed a plan that would extend

Medicare to Americans of all ages who suffer from catastrophic illnesses. Under his plan, families and individuals could then purchase specific insurance plans that fit their needs to cover expenses under $50,000.

Dr. Bentivegna is the son of retired St. Francis University professor, Dr. Patricia Bentivegna of Loretto, and the late Dr. Joseph J. Bentivegna. He and his wife Louise have been married for 26 years, and they have two grown daugh-ters, Michelle and Elaine.

One can learn more about Dr. Bentivegna’s ideas and his campaign at www.joebentivegna.com.

Alumni News

Loretto Native Dr. Joseph Bentivegna Announces Run for Congress in Connecticut

Emily Waksmunski ’10 Excels as Student-Athlete at Bucknell

BC grad and Bucknell senior Emily

Waksmunski was honored for her success on the track and in the classroom as a winner of the 2014 Patriot League Indoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards. Waksmunski is one of three Bison on the Women’s Academic All-Patriot League Team.

Waksmunski earned her second-team

All-Patriot League honor by finishing in second place in both the 1,000-meter run (2:55.98) and as part of Bucknell’s 4 X 800m relay (9:05.48). She also ran on the Bison’s third-place distance medley relay (12:20.17) to help her team to a third-place finish in the champion-ships. She is an ECAC qualifier in the 1,000-meter and 4 X 800.

Waksmunski excels in the class-room as well with a cumulative 3.94 grade-point average, and a 4.00 mark in her major of Civil Engineering. She

was named to the Academic All-Patriot League Team in both indoor and outdoor track and field for the last two seasons, and also earned Capital One Academic All-District honors in 2013. She is a six-time selection to the Bucknell University Dean’s List and three-time member of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll. She has a host of accomplishments within her major, including an article on the development of the GreenPaths Rating System in the Journal of Urban Planning and Development.

Fr. Augustine “Gus” Lieb ’98 was ordained as a priest on October 26,

2013 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. Fr. Lieb is the son of Steve and Mary Lieb, both 1969 BC grads.

He graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2002 with a BA in Philosophy, then worked for one year

as a 10th grade religion teacher at Bishop McCort, before being hired to build a youth ministry program at Holy Name Church in Ebensburg. He joined the Franciscan T.O.R.s in 2006. After making solemn vows to the community in the summer of 2012, Augustine was ordained as a transitional deacon in November of that year.

Studying for five years in Washington DC, he graduated from The Catholic University of America in May 2013 with a Masters in Divinity and a Sacred Theology Baccalaureate. He was promptly given his first assignment at St Andrew Catholic Church in Fort Worth Texas, where he returned after his ordination.

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Mass of Remembrance 7 p.m., October 25, 2014 at Bishop Carroll Chapel

Upcoming Reunions

Class of 1964 will celebrate its 50th Class Reunion in 2014. Stay tuned for details.

Class of 1965 is in the planning stages of its 50th Class Reunion for 2015. Contact the Alumni Office to help with planning: 814-472-7500.

Class of 1969 45th Class Reunion is scheduled for August 23, 2014. Stay tuned for details.

Attention Class of 1977! If you’re interested in attending a planning meeting this summer for your 40th Reunion event, please contact Lou Shiber at lshiber@verizon.net. We will decide on a date and start this endeavor. It’s never too early to start planning for 2017!

Class of 1989 is planning its 25th Reunion for August 9, 2014. Stay tuned for details.

All alumni of these classes and others can email Kathy (Sloan) Oravec ’67 in the Bishop Carroll alumni office for more information, to connect with reunion organizers, or get help planning your event.

Upcoming Events

BISHOP CARROLLCatholic High School728 Ben Franklin HighwayEbensburg, PA 15931One of America’s

Top 50 Catholic High Schools