Name change for the Chippewa Area Catholic School System

2 McDonell News
The 2011 McDonell graduation ceremony broadcast live
By: Allison Greenseth ‘09
On the evening of Thursday, June 2nd, 2011, 49 young
men and ladies processed through the gymnasium
serenaded by the McDonell Concert Band playing Pomp
and Circumstance. For the first time the pride shining off
their parents’, family’s, friends’, and faculty’s faces was
streamed live from the front page of the MACS web site.
Those who could not attend the actual ceremony were
able to still support these young men and ladies as they
crossed a stage to receive their diplomas and enter a
new stage of their life.
The valedictorians Amanda Bohl, daughter of Fred and
Deb Bohl, and David Plendl, son of Steve and Ann Plendl,
both gave speeches with an inside look at their class;
Fourth and third generation of
graduates from McDonell
There were four graduates in the class of 2011 that were the
fourth generation in their family to graduate from McDonell
Central Catholic High School, six third generation, 12 second
generation and 27 first generation.
Our four fourth generation graduates include:
Brianna Krause ‘11 daughter of Kris (Bresina) Krause ‘87,
granddaughter of Ron Bresina ‘63 and great granddaughter of
Henry Bresina ‘34.
Andrew Rubenzer ‘11 son of Tom Rubenzer ‘ 80 grandson
of Belinda (Bell) Rubenzer ‘58 and great grandson of Evelyn
(Kirby) Bell ‘28.
Danielle Rubenzer ‘11 daughter of Erv Rubenzer ‘90, granddaughter
of Belinda (Bell) Rubenzer ‘58 and great granddaugher
of Evelyn (Kirby) Bell ‘28.
Hannah Swoboda ‘11 daughter of Roxanne (Bennesch) Swoboda
‘, granddaughter of Jeanne (Miller)Bennesch ‘59 and great
granddaughter of Edger Miller ‘35
Our six third generation graduates include:
Arianna Gardow ‘11 daughter of Jennifer Gardow ‘88, granddaughter
of Lorraine (Horvatin) Gardow ‘66
Caleb Hunt ‘11 son of Beverly (Bohl) Delores’76, grandson of
Robert Bohl’46
Mallory Kopp ‘11 daughter of Jenna Schafer’88, granddaughter
of Donna (Erickson) Schafer’58
Angela Reiter’11 daughter of Tony Reiter’74, granddaughter
of Mary Ann (Baier) Reiter ‘51
Brittney Steiger ‘11 daughter of Alysia (Liddell) Steiger ‘87,
granddaughter of Pat (Bertrand) Hartman ‘64 and Mike Bertrand
‘65
Beverlyanna Wild ‘11 daughter of Scott ‘83 and Kathy (Bowe)
‘83 Wild’ and granddaugher of Clifford Bowe ’51 and Bernard
Wild ’51.
The Mack Messenger is published three times a year by the McDonell
Area Catholic Schools. Any comments or questions should be directed
to: McDonell Area Catholic Schools, Development Office, 1316 Bel Air
Boulevard, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 TEL: 715.723.0538
EML: MackMessenger@cacs.k12.wi.us
Very Rev. Ed Shuttleworth, Interim Dean of the Chippewa Falls Deanery
Jenny Schafer, Dir. of Development
Cathy Greenseth, Dir. Public Relations, Graphic Design, Photographer.
Special thank you to Barb Gale and Allison Greenseth ‘09
Amanda describing each person individually, including
nick-names and achievements. She concluded with, “As
a whole, we are another class to go through McDonell
as annoying freshmen, forgotten sophomores, troublemaking
juniors, and fondly remembered graduating
seniors. Teachers might remember the barbecued locker
or the endless prayers that we would grow up, soon. But,
I can guarantee they won’t just remember the Class of
2011; they will remember each of our names.”
While David compared the whole class of 2011 to
trees. David described the graduates as, “A grove of
saplings, supporting each other in the face of the
storm, sheltered beneath the strong, mature trees
around us, (our parents and teachers) …characteristics
depend greatly on the environment. The
light. The water. The soil. The available space.
Even the weather. Each factor produces
variation, and each factor can be different
for each tree in a single forest.” He concludes
his speech by thanking the guardian trees
and sending off his fellow saplings saying,
“Thank you. You sheltered us from the storms
and showed us how to grow. To all my fellow
saplings: Thank you. Each of you made the
rest of us the trees we are today. . . . May each
of you find the forest you will prosper in.”
The next speech was given by the
Bishop’s Medal Award for Excellence winner,
Angela “Angie” Reiter, daughter of Sue
and McDonell teacher Anthony Reiter ‘74.
Angie started by stating, “As a senior in high
Angie Reiter, Bishop
Medal of Excellence
Award Winner
school it’s a quite common and
annoying question “Where are
you going to college… do you
know what you’re going to
study?” We are 18 and 19 years
old and it is a horrible time for
us to decide what we want to
do the rest of our lives. It has
been said that if we want to
make God laugh, tell Him
your plans”. (This gives me
the feeling Angie has heard
that question too many
times this past
year)! “Also,” Angie
goes on, “those
that do not know
where they are
headed should
not be afraid
because, God will
never leave. He
may seem so far
away and distant
but He is there
continue to
page 3
Ms Laurie Zukaitis,
Commencement Speaker addresses the graduation
class of 2011.
For the first time McDonell High School broadcasted, through a live video stream, the full McDonell
Central Catholic High School graduation. Members of Mrs. Renee (Ruf) David’s ‘84 Video Club helped
with the video.