Graduation 2006~ - Marian Catholic High School

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POPULARITY BOOMING FOR LACROSSE PROGRAMS Coach Mike McCormick (left) huddles with the varsity men’s lacrosse team. Melissa Gergel ’07 admires her name on the marquis before winning second place at state. The land on the west end of campus that Marian Catholic cultivated in the last few years certainly has gone to good use. On many spring afternoons, one could camp out on the refurbished Spartan Stadium press box and view as many as eight to 10 practices or competitions. One major reason for all of the spring athletic activity is the explosion in lacrosse interest. With the women’s program completing its first full campaign, the men just finished their third season, as the roster size has swelled near 75. “It’s the fastest growing high school sport in the country,” according to Marian lacrosse founder and men’s coach Mike McCormick. “You don’t need to be big to compete. Players come in all shapes and sizes. They just need to be athletic, tough, and willing to give their all. There are plenty of young men who fit that bill at Marian.” Marian’s men didn’t just compete in 2006. The young Spartan program jumped to a 9-0 season start and eventually earned the top seed in the Lacrosse Cup playoffs. Marian (10-4) eventually dropped a playoff decision to Lake Zurich, but with three levels and so many participants, the season was clearly a success. “Although myself and the team were disappointed with the loss, coaches, parents and players alike were all pleased with what has been accomplished thus far,” McCormick assessed. “Even more exciting is that everyone associated with the program is looking forward to the future. “The players all fell in love with the game. Another reason for the sport taking off at Marian is the camaraderie of the players and support they give each other. Because it is new to them and the school, they are all committed to making lacrosse an important part of Marian Catholic’s athletic program. Because of that commitment, the sport has grown from a novelty to a viable program in a short period of time. “Lacrosse would not be possible at Marian without the parents. Since it is a club, it is self-funded. Most parents were unfamiliar with the game until recently. Purchasing equipment and paying dues isn’t cheap, but parents stepped up because their sons showed such interest. Without funds for refs, busses, uniforms and equipment, the program would have never gotten off the ground.” While younger than the men’s program, the women’s squad also continues to grow in popularity and had more than 50 participants for two teams this year. The other interesting aspect of lacrosse is that it mixes players with experience along with those who are completely new to the sport. Put all of those factors together and you find Marian Catholic at the forefront of the South Suburbs’ most exciting emerging sports. In women’s track, three straight state titles for Casey Taylor ’05 was a tough act to follow. While Taylor’s talents moved on to the University of Michigan for a track scholarship, junior Melissa Gergel proved to follow in the footsteps very well. A ninth-place finisher in the Class AA pole vault as a sophomore, Gergel qualified for the 2006 state meet and her effort of 12 feet, 6 inches was good for second place in the state. Meanwhile, junior Jenn Borowczak was a state qualifier in one of Taylor’s event, the long jump. The women’s track team also captured its second straight East Suburban Catholic Conference championship. Men’s track saw a trio of state qualifiers, including another pole vault standout. Sophomore Mitchell Erickson was 19th in the state in the pole vault and junior Adam Brzeszkiewicz was 32nd in the state in the 800- meter run. Senior John Walter, who qualified for state in cross country as a junior, captured 21st place this spring in the mile run. The senior, junior, sophomore act was also duplicated in men’s tennis, where state qualifiers included sophomore Tim Stanis and the doubles team of Cameron Ruiz (junior) and Luke Coughlan (senior). FORENSICS: 16 TO NATIONALS The spring also brought great news in the fine arts arena, as the Marian Forensics team qualified 16 performers for the Catholic Forensics Grand Nationals in Chicago. Marian was the lone school from Illinois to advance students to the finals round, as Craig Dettmann ’07 and Alex Stoterau ’07 captured 13th in the nation in Duo Interpretation and Michael Whittaker ’07 was 25th in the nation in Extemporaneous Speaking. “This was an extraordinary record,” moderator Tom Sweeney said of his group, which also completed a second straight perfect season in the Chicago Catholic Forensics League. “This brings great fame to the Chicago Catholic League, as well as to Marian Catholic. It’s great news in a very competitive national field.” 2
~ Graduation 2006 ~ Continued from front page and families who brought you into being and nurtured you along the way. "Throughout your life and certainly throughout these last four years, a whole community of people helped you discover yourself...helped you find the person God wants you to be." The graduating seniors discovered more than themselves. They discovered incredible accomplishment, whether it was a record 103 AP scholars, being part of a group of 55 Illinois State Scholars or the nucleus of a current 200 National Honor Society members at Marian. This group also continued the traditions that have become expected of Scholars with a Soul–the teamwork of four more successful Calendar Drives, the generosity of four more successful Mission Drives, and the tradition of more than 90 percent voluntary participation in service. "Seniors, this is the big day: the culmination of four years of hard work and tremendous dedication to all that we have been involved in these past four years," Senior Class President Joe DiMaggio recalled. "While it feels like so long ago that we entered Marian as freshmen, I don't know where all that time went. I suppose it flew by while we were in class, at practice, at competitions, at meetings, on Kairos, and spending time with our friends. "Now that these four years are coming to a close today, I want you all to remember that the best parts of high school will continue on; not the research papers and the novels to read, but the memories and time with our friends. I hope you remember all of the good times when you look back at your high school career, and I hope you remember all of the good times when things may not be going your way. "The memories have taken four years to build, so they won't be easy to forget." There were many unforgettable moments for the fabulous class. Fine arts students will remember national band finishes and unprecedented state and national success in forensics. Athletes will remember state trophies in women's golf and women's basketball, as well as a school record for victories in men's basketball. Whether or not all goals were achieved, this group learned from all the great experiences. "While at Marian, we learned countless facts from dates in history to math equations," Valedictorian Anna Selling said. "Many of these facts will be forgotten, but amidst the tests and quizzes, we learned about ourselves. We developed talents and discovered new passions. "I know that my fellow classmates will continue on to do great things and make pivotal changes in our world. Wherever we go in life and even after achieving great success, we will always be the Class of 2006 at Marian Catholic. God has great things in store for each of us. Go boldly into the future, follow your dreams, never give up, and reach for the stars.” While May 21 represented a celebration of four outstanding years, it also represented a springboard toward becoming our nation's leaders in the future. "Being an ethical, loving, bright, generous person of service–being a Scholar with a Soul– is the work of a lifetime," according to President Sr. M. Paul McCaughey, O.P. ’67. "May God's grace flow always through you as you turn, turn, turn...and a time for every purpose under heaven (the Byrds)." For an Alumni Association that now numbers more than 15,500, we likely haven't seen or heard the last turn of the good news for the Marian Catholic Class of 2006. Susan Pulcini, Anne Pulcini, Scott Pulcini ’90 holding his daughter Sofia, Victoria Pulcini and Krista Pulcini ’94 were among honored guests at the Pulcini Baseball Tarp dedication. UPCOMING EVENTS 2006 REUNIONS MARK YOUR CALENDAR The following classes will be celebrating their reunions in 2006: 1966 – October 7, 2006 1971 – September 9, 2006 1976 – October 21, 2006 1981 – September 8, 2006 1986 – October 21, 2006 1996 – October 21, 2006 2001 – September 8, 2006 You are always welcome to attend the Friday night home games which coincide with the reunions. If you are interested in helping out with your reunion, please contact the Alumni Office (708-756-9770) or alumni@marianchs.com. DECADE OF CHAMPIONS If you played football or you were a cheerleader in 1966, 1976, 1986, or 1996, you are welcome to come to the annual Decade of Champions celebration. Relive memories with your teammates by coming to the 7:30 p.m. home football game against Carmel of Mundelein on Friday, September 8, 2006 and join us for a gathering immediately following the game. HOMECOMING GATHERING This year’s annual Alumni Gathering will take place on Friday, October 6, 2006 in the East Gym following the 7:30 p.m. football game against Marist. Come and join fellow alumni for pizza, drinks, music, and memories. If you are interested in helping plan your reunion, please contact the Alumni Office (708-756-9770) or alumni@marianchs.com. 3
Page 1: MARIAN Matters A NEWSLETTER FOR MAR
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Page 11 and 12: Reagan Foley, daughter of Patrick F
Page 13 and 14: Billy Noone, son of Padraic Noone
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Graduation 2006~ - Marian Catholic High School

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