Assumption Magazine Winter 2009 - Assumption High School

OurMissionResponding to the Church’s call tocontinue the teachings of Jesus Christ,Assumption High School,sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy,is missionedto create a communityof lifelong learnersin search of truth. We educate the whole person ina caring, Christian environment. We offer programs to youngwomen with a wide range ofabilities, talents, and needs. We make sure that our youngwomen learn and grow and feelgood about themselves. We provide financial assistanceto families demonstratingeconomic need by reaching outto the poor and minorities inthe community.Assumption High Schoolenjoys a tradition ofacademic excellence anddevelopment of Christian leaderswho are committed to the valuesof compassion toward all andservice to those in need.On the Cover:Page 3Got Privilege?By Katie Kaminski ‘02Page 4Mission WeekBy Mary Ann SteutermannPage 8SchoolFusionby Joyce KochPage 10CAPITAL CAMPAIGNPage 18Canstruction®TMIND BODYSPIRIINSIDEEditors’ Corner..................................................1Alumnae President’s Vision for the Future.........1President’s Letter...............................................2Got Privilege?...................................................3Mission Week..................................................4Sports Update..................................................6Technology: SchoolFusion...............................8Mind, Body, Spirit Capital Campaign..............10Community Spotlight-Around AHS.................12Rocket Spectacular.........................................14Passions-Visions-Missions...............................16With Sympathy...............................................17Weddings.......................................................17Reunions........................................................17Canstruction®................................................18Assumption Point A 5K...................................19Catholic Education Foundation Award...............20Campus Ministry: A New Year........................20Photo Cover:Top row l to r: Tracy Redmon ‘87, AHS board of directors president – the first alum to holdthis position. Tracy is a partner of Walters, Walters, Redmon & Associates, a financial advisorypractice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Caroline Bisig Parker ‘58, member of thefirst graduating class from Assumption and mother of Liz Parker Miller ‘81, grandmother ofAshley Distler ‘04, Kristin Distler ‘06, Lauren Distler ‘07, Erin Parker ‘08, and Amy Parker‘12. Caroline is an R.N. and was on the reunion committee that planned the Class of 1958’s50-year reunion. Elaine Salvo, AHS president. Elaine started at Assumption in 1980 as amath teacher. In 1996 she became our college counselor, and in 2006 she became oursecond president. Mary Margaret Ralph H‘08 has taught theology ever since she came to AHSin 1978. She is currently the only teacher who teaches every student in her senior year.Bottom row l to r: Sidney Noland ‘09 plans to attend Yale in the fall. She is a Governor’sscholar, an AP scholar, and a National Merit semifinalist. She co-founded Eco-Louisville, ateen environmental organization, and served as a fair trade ambassador for Just Creations.Sidney is involved in Teen Court, AHS Advancement Council, and the AHS crew team. She isalso a champion marksman and member of NRA, has performed in The Nutcracker, and sheplays the violin – talk about well-rounded! Sister Mary Prisca Pfeffer, RSM is the foundress ofAssumption High School. She opened AHS in 1955 and was the principal until 1967 whenshe accepted an assignment at our sister school, Mercy Academy. Taylor Long ‘12 came to usfrom St. Edward Catholic School. She is a member of our freshman and JV volleyball teams.She is in the Spanish and Cooking Clubs, and she plays intramural sports.Cover photo by Ian HuskASSUMPTIONMagazineWinter 2009EditorsJackie BloydLaura Kremer Kline ‘97Theresa Liebert Schuhmann ‘92©2009 Assumption High SchoolPhone: (502) 458-6258editors@ahsrockets.orgAssumption High School2170 Tyler LaneLouisville, KY 40205

Editors’CORNERPhoto by Ian Huskby Laura Kremer Kline ‘97Jackie BloydTheresa Liebert Schuhmann ‘92Welcome to the all new AssumptionMagazine, a collaboration to truly serveas our community connection! This publicationwill replace the Rocket Update,Inside Wire, and Counselor Connection,formerly the alumnae, parent, andguidance newsletters, respectively. Youreditors, Jackie Bloyd, Laura Kremer Kline ‘97,and Theresa Liebert Schuhmann ‘92,hope you will find this first issue to beinspiring, interesting, and informative,no matter what connection you have toour Assumption family.Our focus for this first issue is onwomen of mission: past, present, andfuture. Sister Mary Prisca, RSM,pictured on our cover, could not havedreamed of just how far-reachingAssumption’s mission would be whenshe founded the school in 1955.Sr. Prisca laid the foundation, as setforth by the Sisters of Mercy, whichremains amazingly relevant in today’stime. If you read our current missionstatement, you will find phrases like“creating lifelong learners,” “educating thewhole person,” “programs for a widerange of abilities, talents, and needs,”“tradition of academic excellence,” and“values of compassion towards all andservice to those in need.” Under thecurrent leadership of President Elaine Salvo,Assumption continues to live out thatmission every day, instilling those sameMercy values in our current students.In this issue, you’ll read aboutMission Week, designed to help studentsmake connections and bring our missionto life for every student. But you willalso learn about our job shadowingprogram, SchoolFusion, and a FamilyProgram activity called Canstruction– all programs that contribute to thesuccessful and well-rounded graduatesNew President focuses on vision for the futureby Laura Meadows ‘89, Alumnae Association Presidentthat Assumption has been producing forover 50 years. We know that our currentstudents, almost 1,000 girls much likeTaylor Long ‘12 and Sidney Noland ‘09,are our future. With everything theyhave learned here at Assumption, we canbe assured that they will continue to liveout that mission well beyond their yearson Tyler Lane and continue to affect thecommunity around them. While thereis no way to show you ALL the ways thatAssumption community members liveout our mission every day, we hope thatthe “snapshots” provided in this issuegive you just a small idea of the impactthat our girls are having across the globe.We hope you will enjoy this first issueand send us your feedback and the waysthat you live out the Assumption missionon a daily basis by emailingeditors@ahsrockets.org or calling502-458-6258.I feel truly honoredand privilegedto serve as your newAlumnae Associationpresident, representinga dynamic, successful, and diversecommunity of women.Assumption High School’s greatestasset lies within its people–the students,the staff, the teachers, the parents, andyou, the alumnae. From the moment youfirst passed through the doors of AHS, youbecame part of our community, and youremain so today.You play a critical role in the advancementof educational excellence, spiritualgrowth, and development of the youngwomen attending Assumption today andtomorrow. As alumnae you help shape,cultivate, and inspire our community.How do we achieve this?It is essential for our vision to be clearand consistent to our fellow alumnae for abetter understanding of our goals and objectives.Part of this vision is our ability toshare information and knowledge so thatwe can lift ourselves up to new heights instrength and accomplishments.To achieve our vision, the alumnaeassociation’s board of directors plans todevelop and implement a strategic planin 2009. The strategic plan will berelevant to both students and alumnae,clearly define the role of the AlumnaeAssociation, and create an action planto strengthen alumnae connections andcommunications with AHS.A word of thanksI wish to extend a note of thanksto my predecessor and friend, TracyRedmon ‘87, who served as AlumnaeAssociation president from 2005-2008.Her hard work and dedication have seta strong foundation upon which to build.I also wish to thank the AlumnaeAssociation board of directors for theirpassion and diligence to serve their fellowclassmates in order to make a positiveimpact within the Assumption community.And, we could not achieve success withoutthe support and commitment of JackieBloyd, director of alumnae relations,Elaine Salvo, president, and Mary BethO’Reilly, executive director of advancement.I hope all of you enjoyed a safe andhappy holiday season. The new year bringsnew hope and new possibilities. Pleasedo not hesitate to contact me if I can beof service to you. You may contact me at502-387-2995 or Jackie Bloyd, director ofalumnae relations, at 502-458-6258. Yourobservations, comments, and suggestionsare invaluable.Go Rockets!1

Mary Ann SteutermannAssistant Principal, Dean of FacultyMission WeekBy Mary Ann SteutermannFor the first time since the 16 inches of snow and belowfreezing temperatures of 1994, Assumption had an entireweek of school in which no classes met duringFebruary of 2008. But this time it had nothing to do withicy roads or the loss of electricity, and students weren’tmissing classes they would need to make up later. Quitethe contrary, from February 11-14 students participatedin a downright electric program of innovative learningexperiences, the first-ever AssumptionHigh School Mission Week.Although Monday went beautifully, Tuesday of Mission Week. . . didn’t happen! Snow caused school to be cancelled thatday, and a late opening on Wednesday required us to reviseour plans. Despite this, students were still able to come awaywith most everything we had hoped they would. Freshmenlearned more about their local community through a field tripto the Cathedral of the Assumption, Falls of the Ohio, HistoricMain Street, or Portland Museum. They also learned about4The term “Mission Week” is something ofa play on words. For several years, someseniors have elected to miss classes duringa week in February in order to participatein mission trips. This “mission team” ofstudents and teachers travels to various sitesacross the country to do service work forthe needy, live simply during their stay, andprayerfully reflect upon the experience. Thegreat thing about Mission Week is that nowseniors aren’t the only ones to benefitfrom an innovative week-long learningexperience. This past February, ALL of ourstudents participated in a variety of activitiesdesigned to help them grow both intellectuallyand spiritually in ways unconfinedby classroom walls and textbook pages.Assumption’s mission centers oneducating the whole person in a caring,Christian environment and providing adiverse array of learning opportunities forstudents with differing abilities, interests,and needs. Mission Week allows us to fulfillthis mission in an innovative, exciting way.As a Catholic school in the Mercy tradition,it was important for us to begin MissionWeek 2008 last February with a wholeschoolprayer service and liturgical concert.Students then participated in a “sustainabilityfair” where they learned about environmentalissues facing our planet. This fair wasfollowed by students’ own choices of“mission and values sessions” that coveredeverything from women’s health issues, towriting poetry, to the genocide in Darfur.assumption high school presentsDead Man Walkingby tim robbinsBased on the book Dead Man Walking by sister helen prejeanAt Assumption’s Performing and Fine Arts Center:Friday, February 6 at 7 p.m.Saturday, February 7 at 7 p.m.Sunday, February 8 at 2 p.m.Tuesday, February 10 at 7 p.m.Wednesday, February 11 at 7 p.m.ticket prices: $8.00 for adults, $5.00 for students and seniorsgroup discount tickets are available; tickets may be purchased atdoor or reserved by phone at 271-2636.An Assumption Mission Week Community Theatre ProjectProduced with Special Arrangement with Tim Robbins and the Dead Man Walking School Theatre Project

Assumption’s Mercy heritage. Aftertaking a practice ACT, sophomores didtwo days of service to children, theelderly, the sick, and the disabled atover 80 local agencies. Our juniorshad time to shadow a professional ina career of their choosing and visitcolleges of interest as well as studythe root causes of poverty in Louisvilleand the importance of healthy choicesregarding sexuality. Seniors participatedin service workeither in town or on mission tripsacross the country, were mentoredby a professional in a career of theirchoice, or went on senior retreat.This year, in addition to includingsome of the very successful elementsfrom last year as well as parts weweren’t able to implement because ofthe snow day and late opening – likesessions on economic literacy, selfdefense,healthy relationships anda college boot camp – we are alsofocusing on the topic of capital punishment.Through our production ofthe play, Dead Man Walking, basedon Sr. Helen Prejean’s book by thesame name, as well as several relatedactivities, students will explore thisimportant life issue in light of Catholicchurch teachings and currentsocial realities.At Assumption we believe that wemeet our mission of educating thewhole person every single day, butMission Week is perhaps our most daringand innovative way of “walking thetalk.” Although I think fondly back tothat snowy week in 1994 when we allgot an unexpected week “off” and hadno classes, I’m far more excited aboutall that our students will experienceduring Mission Week 2009.Alumnae Class Updates1960Members of the Class of 1960 gathered atOlivia’s on July 29, 2008, for a mini-reunion.They are planning three events for 2009. Pleasecall Genny Braitling Powrie at 426-5642 orBarbara Wetter Preston 339-2122 to makesure they have your updated information sothey can include you in the gatherings.1961Class Ambassadors: Janice Beckham Filley,Jane Abell WilsonJane Abell Wilson would like to locate these“lost” classmates: Mary Koehler, DianeCain Herrold, Mary Kuhn Valdez, and RosieMassey Poteet. You may email Jane atjane@wilsonpages.com or call herat 502-451-5571.1964Class Ambassadors: Paulette Harpring,Dolores Kemper Karman, Norma PooleRileyBelieve it or not, it is time to plan our45-year reunion! If you have any ideas orwould like to be on the planning committeeplease contact Dolores Kemper Karman at502-458-4496 or karman02@insightbb.com.1968Class Ambassador: Suzette O’BryanSchellenbergerCarol Spalding, Ed.D., former Open Campuspresident of Florida Community Collegeat Jacksonville, has retired from the collegeand the Florida system after 30 years and hasbeen appointed the third president of RowanCabarrus Community College (RCCC), a twocountymulti-campus community college inthe Charlotte, North Carolina region. She andhusband, Fran Koster, have moved to 1012Westlake Dr. in Kannapolis, NC 28081 to a“president’s house” with lots of entertainingspace. Kannapolis, a former bankrupted milltown, is the now the site of the North CarolinaResearch Center, an economic developmentphenomenon and magnet to eight universitiesand biotech companies interested in nutritionand wellness and focused on food productionand cancer, diabetes, and obesity research.RCCC will occupy a 60,000 square footbuilding on the campus and train and educatethe workforce for the jobs of the future. Youcan contact Carol at work, 704-216-3450, orhome, 704-934-2081. Her personal email isspaldingcs@aol.com and professional email isspaldingc@rowancabarrus.edu. Carol and Franare renting the Largo house and keeping intouch with friends and colleagues in Jacksonvilleas well as Fran’s high school seniordaughter at Episcopal, and son, daughter-inlaw,and grandson in Lakewood. In NorthCarolina, they are considered half-backs,halfway back to Kentucky and Ohiofrom Florida!1969Class Ambassadors: Mary Dillon Cowley,Margie Shircliff BarrettDeborah Wheat Mantell opened ExpressYourself on November 1, 2008, in Mt.Washington. It is a paint-your-own-potterystudio and is open Monday–Saturday from10 a.m. until 7 p.m. They offer many partyoptions and specials. You can contact them at502-538-2368 or email dmm40047@ymail.com for additional information. Deborah alsooperates another business, DecoratingDetails & Design, which offers floralarrangements and home interior decoratingand design. She can be contacted via email atdmm40047@hotmail.com.1983Class Ambassador: Ann Hall WolzMichelle Osborne Spurlock has recentlybeen promoted to the role of Chief NursingOfficer at Our Lady of Peace of JewishHospital and Sts. Mary Healthcare. She hastwo sons, Brian, 15, and Timmy, 12.1989Class Ambassador: Lauren Yates HardwickChristine Cain Early has been working atthe UofL Dental School for three years andloves it. She and her husband, Kevin, havebeen married 10 years and have a handsomestepson, Duncan, who is 17 and a preciousdaughter, Morgan, who is 8. She wouldlove to hear from classmates via email atccearl01@gwise.louisville.edu.Bethany Funk Gilstrap got married August 31,2007, on the Star of Jeffersonville accompaniedby her two stepchildren, Trevor, 14, andRebecca, 11. She hopes to see everyone at the20-year reunion!Kristi Bottoms McGrath and her husband,Jay, proudly announce the birth of their son,Tyler Robert, on December 10, 2008. Heweighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces, and was 19¾inches long. He joins big brother, Dylan, 5.‹continued on page 7 5

SportsUpdateSportsUpdateBack to Back State Champions GiveRocket Runners Something to Boast AboutCross CountryRocket runners are state championsonce again in 2008. The teamaccomplishments were incredible thisseason. They had first place finishesin the Tiger Run, the Rumble in theJungle, and the Franklin County Invitational.The Great American Race/NikeRace of Champions in Alabama earnedthe girls a fifth place finish to earnthem recognition as a team to look forin the Southeastern United States.Another huge honor for the team wasbeing voted the Class AAA Team of theYear by the KTCCCA (Kentucky Track &Cross Country Coaches Association). Theteam captured the regional trophy forthe third consecutive year. The state meetwas on a miserable rainy NovemberSaturday at the Kentucky Horse Park 5Kcourse in Lexington, but nothing couldstop these girls. In fact, four of our sevenrunners finished in the top 20 to captureour second consecutive state title.Photo by Tim PorcoSoccerThe soccer Rockets began theirseason with big wins over NewportCentral Catholic and Marshall County.This team was ranked in the top 15 inKentucky all season and played nine ofthe top 15 teams in the state throughoutthe season. The girls traveled toZionsville, Indiana, playing some ofthe top teams in Indiana. Big winsover Manual, Highlands, and DaviessCounty were highlights of the season.The Rockets ended their season 10-9-3with a loss to the eventual state championsin overtime in the regional final.6Field HockeyRocket hockey rolled through theseason with an 18-9-1 record defeatingKCD and CAL in regular season play.The team continued their annual trip toChicago to compete in theHuskie Invitational. The competitionwas a success with fierce competitionand a fifth place finish. Their toughschedule continued on the road witha trip to St. Louis where the teamencountered more out of state competitorsand were victorious in two of theirthree games. The girls finished theseason making it to the quarterfinals inthe state tournament that was played atBellarmine University. Coach DebbieJudd praised the girls for their hard workand the seniors for their leadership.GolfRocket golf launched a season of fun and challenges. The girlsworked hard and improved their skills. Our new golfers set personalgoals in the early season and all of them reached the goals they set bythe postseason. Junior Sammi Smith is a true standout in the golfcommunity. Her consistent play carried her to a regional second placeindividual finish. Her trip to state was a challenging one with raindelays and an extra day of play. Sammi finished 20th in the state.Photo by Tim Porco

Junior exchange student Alice Liureceived an honorable mention at theYoung Artists Program, sponsored byWUOL public radio. Alice was selectedfor her talent playing the piano via anaudition set up for her by music teacherJackie Metry. As part of her prize, sheperformed on NPR via a live feed fromWUOL in December. Alice visited herhome in China this past summer and participatedin the torch relay for the 2008Summer Olympics.Nineteen Assumption students were sworninto the 2008-2009 Jefferson CountyTeen Court on November 18. Teen Courtprovides first-time juvenile offenders theopportunity to participate in a less formalcourt process carried out by theirpeers. Teen court began in 1992 as oneof many law-related programs offered bythe Kentucky Court of Justice through itsDepartment of Juvenile Services. The TeenCourt participants from Assumption aresophomores Meghan Bissinger, HannahFieldhouse, and Morgan Milliner; juniorsMegan Biven, Morgan Reeves, and TaylorStrohmeier; and seniors Jenna Brumleve,Hannah Bryant, Rachel Dalton, AbbyFieldhouse, Anna Gleis, Amanda Heim,Jessica McKim, Morgan Mottley, LaurenNeichter, Sidney Noland, Liz Poppe, SarahReeves, and Tamara Slovacek.Alumnae Class Updates2001Class Ambassador: Laura Wallitsch DurbinJaeryl Covington was elected as the chair ofthe McConnell Center Alumni Advisory Boardin January 2008. She completed her masterof urban planning degree in May, and justpurchased her first house in September.2003Class Ambassadors: Britni Knable,Marisa MainJessica Durbin accepted a position withLouisville Metro Government as publiceducation coordinator for Metro Animal Servicesin November 2008. She makes visitsto Louisville area schools and universities,youth community centers, and neighborhoodassociations to further the mission ofbettering the bond between people and theirpets through humane education. She is alsopicking up credits (slowly but surely!) fromUofL towards her master in public administration.Sharon Diebold Klump graduated from UKin May 2008 and started a job with JeffersonCounty Public Schools. She is in her firstyear of teaching seventh grade at KnightMiddle School and is enjoying life asa newlywed.‹continued on page 16The Speech Team has had some verystrong showings this fall. In the BooneCounty tournament, team members winningawards were senior Emily Eskridge,7th in extemporaneous speaking and 2ndin impromptu; senior Jessica Hines, 3rdin poetry; senior Victoria Reibel, 2nd inhumorous interpretation; junior MeganBiven, 4th in broadcasting; junior ToryCooney, 4th in extemporaneous speaking;juniors Kara Dischinger and KaitlinMitchell, 5th in improvisational duo;junior Lauren Vaughan, 4th in humorousintepretation; and sophomore AngelinaKolomiets, 2nd in prose interpretation.The team finished 3rd overall in a fieldof 15 teams.At the Calloway tournament, team membersreceiving awards were sophomoreAlle Hagan and senior Victoria Reibel,7th in improvisational duo; juniors MollySohl and Krissy Raque, 6th in improvisationalduo; junior Abby Boyle, 5thin humorous interpretation; junior ToryCooney, 5th in broadcasting and 2nd inpoetry interpretation; junior Kara Dischinger,6th in broadcasting; sophomoreAlle Hagan, 3rd in declamation; andsophomore Angelina Kolomiets was thetournament champion in poetry interpretation.The team finished 5th overallamong the 15 teams competing.In the Danville tournament, individualevent award winners were sophomoreAngelina Kolomiets who placed 5th inpoetry interpretation and 2nd in proseinterpretation; senior Victoria Reibel whoplaced 6th in humorous interpretation;junior Tory Cooney who placed 6th inpoetry interpretation; the team of seniorsVictoria Reibel and Katie Younkie whoplaced 2nd in improvisational duo; andsenior Jessica Hines who was the overallevent champion in prose interpretation.As a whole, the team placed 3rd amongthe 23 teams that were competing.Members of the Speech Team thentravelled in the cold, cold weather to theGrant County Invitational Speech Tournament.Individual award winners weresenior Victoria Reibel who finished 7thin humorous interpretation; sophomoreAngelina Kolomiets who finished 6th inpoetry interpretation and 6th in proseinterpretation; senior Tricia Dunlevy whofinished 5th in poetry interpretation;junior Abby Boyle who finished 2ndin humorous interpretation and who,with her partner senior Sidney Noland,finished 2nd in improvisational duo.And finally a special congratulations tosenior Jessica Hines who finished 7th indramatic interpretation; was the eventchampion with her partner sophomoreAngelina Kolomiets in improvisationalduo; and who was also the event championin prose interpretation. Overall theteam placed 3rd among the 18 teams competing.Congratulations on a great season!‹Community Spotlightcontinued on page 1513

You’re Invited to the28th Annual Rocket SpectacularSaturday, March 7, 2009Assumption High School6:00 p.m.Come travel with us as we set our sights on...All proceeds from this eventwill benefit our school programsand provide financial assistanceto students in need.“The Amazing Adventure”You will enjoy gourmet foods,a live & silent auction,capital prize drawings, andother games of chance.Event tickets are $75 and are available at www.ahsrockets.orgor by calling the Advancement Office at (502) 458-6258.Capital Prize Drawing –now, three chances to win!$25 per chance1st Prize-$10,0002nd Prize-$5,0003rd Prize-$5,000Name ______________________________________________________________________________________Address _____________________________________________________________________________________City/State/Zip ________________________________________________________________________________Phone ______________________________________________________________________________________AHS Alum/Year _____________ Email ____________________________________________________________® We request ______ table(s) of 8. ______ table(s) of 10.® We are unable to attend but wish to support this event with the enclosed contribution.Tickets are $75 per person ($600 per table of 8, $750 per table of 10).Payment due with reservation.Make check payable to Assumption High School or charge to the following card:® Visa ® MastercardName as it appears on card _____________________________________________________________________Card # _________________________________________________________________ Exp. Date ____________For reservations, return form to Assumption High School, 2170 Tyler Lane, Louisville, KY 40205or register online at www.ahsrockets.org.14

Community Spotlight continued ...The Environmental Concerns Committee of Assumption High School sponsoredan Earth Walk in Cherokee Park on November 8. The walk was a 2.3 mile scenicloop in the park and included signs throughout with information about globalwarming. Senior Kimberly Toop headed the committee that implemented thisearth-friendly event. Registration was $5 or a compact fluorescent lightbulb; thewalk collected more than 400 compact fluorescent light bulbs for the FamilyScholar House.“Organic Sustainability Project”receives Brightside Fred Wiche AwardCynthia Spalding Knapek ‘90, executive director of Brightside; Sally Craven, Assumption sciencedepartment chair; Becky Henle, principal; Lauren Speaker ‘09; Mayor Jerry Abramson; MeganFoley ‘10; Samantha Cardenas ‘09; Jeneen Wiche, daughter of Fred Wiche; Barry Bernson, Fox 41News Anchor.Assumption was named the 3rd place winner of the tenth annualBrightside Fred Wiche Award. Led by science teacher Sally Craven,students, teachers, and parents at Assumption have started an “organicsustainability project” garden on campus which encourages environmentalawareness among students.Currently over 50 students and their parents work in the garden project.The $1000 award will allow the school to expand their garden toincrease student participation. The garden helps feed the Assumptioncommunity by providing homegrown seasonal vegetables for the cafeteriasalad bar. One of the goals of expanding the garden is to reduce theschool’s carbon footprint and school expenses by making factory-suppliedvegetables obsolete in their cafeteria. Assumption has had an activeenvironmental club for 18 years.photo by Lisa Gunterman ‘86The Math Team totally rocked at theirfirst meet, ranking third in our district.Assumption had all three freshmenplace in the top 10 in the district:Tricia Dunlevy in 1st place, Xiao Huin 2nd place and Mary-Kate Smith in8th place. Sophomore Emily Steltenpohlcame in 8th place, junior AliceLiu placed 4th in the district, andsenior Melanie Brumleve ranked 8thin the district. Way to go, Math Leagueparticipants!Assumption had 31 students participatein the Kentucky Youth Assembly(KYA) this year, with Erica Lasley andMary Mattingly as full-time advisorsand Mike Rouse, part-time.One of the most notable awardsreceived was the Outstanding CongressionalBill, a bill on a rotating systemof presidential primaries, authored andpresented by seniors Sarah Reeves,Tamara Slovacek, and Rachel Dalton.These girls provide tremendous leadershipfor the Student YMCA.Seniors Melanie Brumleve and KimToop participated in the judicial programand won their case. A legislativebill on establishing a back-up to theNational Guard passed in the Senatebut not the House. Those authors weresophomores Taylor Conway andRachel Smith and juniors MarieClements and Ariel Gariepy.The premier (freshman) programauthors did not have their bill passed,but they were unbelievably hardworking.They were Elizabeth Lohr,Lauren Schwarz, Sydney Radcliff, andLydia Dallas. Senior Abby Fieldhousechaired a committee and did a greatjob. Faculty advisor Mary Mattinglyreceived a 15-year pin for havingparticipated in conferences like KYAand KUNA for 15 years, and the teamwas also named a “Delegation ofExcellence.”15

y Connie Druien, Guidance Counselor andTheresa Liebert Schuhmann ‘92, College CounselorAs we watch our girls walk across thestage at graduation each year, we as afaculty hope that each of those newAssumption alumnae can say that they arewhole people – intellectually, physically,emotionally, and spiritually. More importantly,it is our hope that their time in the halls,in the classrooms, in extracurriculars, andon the field will have provided them skillsand knowledge which they will continue toutilize to grow as whole people as theyleave 2170 Tyler Lane to go out and pursuetheir goals in college, in careers, with theirfamilies, and in the communities. If this isthe case, then truly that is the mission ofAssumption at work in their lives.To help realize this mission, theguidance office offers a variety ofprograms and services to help studentsgain these life skills and knowledge aboutAlumnae Class Updates2004Class Ambassadors: Megan Herde,Michelle JonesTaylor Florence graduated in May 2008from Miami University. Taylor was a fourtime All-MidAmerican Conference fieldhockey player for the Redhawks. She iscurrently employed by the Chicago Bulls.Katherine Klem loves her job workingwith volunteers (mostly cancer survivors)to help pass laws that better prevent andtreat cancer. Election Day was a thrill,as she has been honored to serve onObama’s Health Policy Advisory Committee.She was also extremely lucky tobe a contestant on “Wheel of Fortune”on October 28, 2008! (Vanna is reallynice - and just as pretty as she looks onTV!) If anyone is in the Boston area andwould like to meet up, drop her a line atkatherine.klem@gmail.com.€continued on page 2016 16Photo by Ian Huskthe areas of interest which they would liketo pursue after high school. We feel fortunateto be able to offer each of our classesa personal counselor. She begins with theclass when they are freshmen and travelswith them for the next four years on theirhigh school journey, available to help themnavigate challenges and in hopes that theywill feel empowered and self-reliant as aresult of their time in our offices.Our two dedicated college counselorspartner with the personal counselors andbegin working with our students, generallyduring their junior year, to help themlearn more about the college search andapplication process. These meetings arefocused on helping the girls to find a collegethat is a “good fit” for them as individuals,places where they will find room for morepersonal growth while also receiving strongpreparation for the fields that they eventuallywant to pursue after graduation orgraduate studies. At the back of our minds,always, is that these girls will be using theirpersonal skills and the knowledge that theygain in college in a career. That is one ofthe reasons that we believe that the Schoolto-Careerprogram which operates out of theguidance department is such an integral partof Assumption’s and our office’s mission.Just as we hoped for alumnae who arereading this and just as those of you who areparents hope for your daughters, we wantour girls to fulfill their career dreams. Withinthe School-to-Career program, we begin adiscussion about finding a career fit infreshman year, asking students to look atpersonal strengths and interest inventoriesand to reflect upon their ACTS service asthey look toward the future. But one of themost exciting opportunities for our studentsto explore their career possibilities willhappen during Mission Week in February.During Mission Week, our juniors willeach spend a day with a professional in acareer that they have chosen to spend thesemester exploring. Their shadow experienceis preceded by research about the career,and then the girls get to see what thatresearch looks like in reality during theirshadow. For many students over the pastten years, this experience has been pivotalin their decision as to whether or not the careeris one in which they would feel wholein the long term. As we tell them, whetheror not the decision is to continue to pursuethe field, the results of their job shadowexperience can only be to their benefit.While the juniors are shadowing,several of our seniors will be participatingin our optional Mentor Program. This is awonderful opportunity for seniors who arepreparing to make big decisions for theirfutures. The senior continues her careerjourney by choosing a female mentor whoshares her same career dreams. This professionalwill have an ongoing relationshipwith the senior as she continues to seekanswers to that all important question, “Whatdo I want to do with my life when I growup?” One senior commented at the end ofher job shadow experience with her mentor,“I had a wonderful day with Mrs. Brown,and I would highly suggest that every girl atAHS be a part of the senior mentor program.I felt completely comfortable asking her allof the questions that I had about workingin the medical field, such as salary range,hours, and the areas a nurse practitionercan specialize in. I feel like this is the careerfor me!”This type of knowledge is proving tobe even more critical in uncertain times.Research indicates that students with themost difficulty in college are those whohave financial problems, weak academicskills, or lack of a career focus. In a time ofrising college costs, we feel that it is not onlypersonally but practically imperative to helpour girls gain this focus – always with thehope that if they can find career fulfillmentthat they will continue to have one of thepieces of personal wholeness in place.If you have questions about the programor would be interested in workingwith one of our juniors or seniors in thefuture, please do not hesitate to contactthe School-to-Career program coordinator,Connie Druien, at 454-8402 or atconnie.druien@ahsrockets.org.

With SympathyDeepest sympathy is extended to thefollowing alumnae and their familiesin their time of sorrow:WeddingsConnie Moore Fowler ‘61 and Karen Moore Knight ‘70 on the death of theirmother; and Kate McKiernan Thiel ‘86, Kelly McKiernan Blincoe ‘88, MissiMoore Weber ‘94, Stephanie Knight Embry ‘00, and Tara Moore ‘10 on thedeath of their grandmother, Mary Lois Moore, on August 18, 2008.Lisa Thompson ‘77, Caroyla Thompson Tobbe ‘79, and Janet Thompson Breen ‘84on the death of their father; Caitlan Breen ‘07 on the death of her grandfather;and Amanda Rouse Thompson ‘93 on the death of her father-in-law,Tom Thompson, on October 6, 2008.Lisa Werle Klein ‘89 and Diane E. Werle ‘95 on the death of theirgrandmother, Mary S. Murphy, on November 4, 2008.Melissa Schroeder ‘94 toJason McCartyon October 18, 2008,at St. Gabriel Catholic Churchin Louisville.Sharon Diebold ‘03 toRobert Klumpon June 21, 2008,at St. Louis Bertrand Catholic Churchin Louisville.ReunionsThe first Assumption Reunion Weekendwas held November 7 and 9, 2008.The Class of 1958 celebrated its 50th Reunion –an Assumption first!The Classes of 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989,1994, 1999, and 2004 will hold reunions this year.If you would like to help plan your reunion...Please contact Jackie Bloyd atjackie.bloyd@ahsrockets.orgor call 502-271-2511.For more pictures of Reunion Weekend go towww.ahsrockets.org and under Alumnae,click on Alumnae Information, scroll down toRelated Pages and click on Alumnae Photo Gallery.17

By Emily Hayden ‘09year when we do this. They take pridein it. That says a lot for the future of theprogram and for our ability to helpDare to Care.What other activities does the FamilyProgram have planned for the rest of theschool year?In January we will be teaming up withthe Advancement Office to lead thecharge for Capital Prize ticket saleswith a variety of incentives. We havea couple of surprise events planned aswell, and individual familieswill be doing a variety of activities.So we are excited to seewhat unfolds.Alyssa Baer ‘09works on the faceof Elmo for theFamily Cork.What I like best aboutthe Family Programis that itis rooted inAssumption’sSisters of Mercyhistory.Photo by Ian HuskEvery year, Assumption High School’sTeam Assumption hosts the Point A 5KRace, a 3.1 mile run that takes participantsthrough the neighborhood surroundingAHS. The Point A 5K originated fouryears ago. It was started with a goal toraise money for one specific charity,Nativity Academy at St. Boniface. But TeamAssumption wanted more than to host arace for charity; the club also wanted tobuild community spirit at Assumption andin the neighborhood around the school.It is a festive race that gets its participantsready for the upcoming holiday by offeringChristmas bells to tie onto runner’s shoesand ornament age-group prizes. There’seven hot chocolate and cookies for snackingbefore the race! Katie Caswell, Englishteacher at AHS who organizes the race,described it by saying, “It is a party. Weeven hold a holiday decoration contest forthe homes along the race route.”Team Assumption is one of the largestclubs at AHS, usually having between130-150 members. It is open to all agegroups, so any student, faculty, or staffmember can join. Created in 1998 byMartha Pfaadt Tedesco ’90 and JodySchaefer, it is a running-walking and fitnessclub. Katie Caswell and math teacherTracy Homan moderate the group. The girlsin this club all share a common interest inachieving healthy goals through running orwalking. The Point A 5k can be labeled asone of the best accomplishments of TeamAssumption, but not everything always goesas planned when it comes to hosting andorganizing such a large event.In early September 2008, TeamAssumption was informed that the city hadincreased its fees for walks and runs. Inorder to hold the race, $1,000 in feeswould have had to be paid. Members of theclub discussed hosting the race at anotherl to r: Katie Caswell – AHS English teacherand coordinator of the race, Elaine Salvo –AHS president, Sheriff John Aubrey, DebbyFisher – Sheriff Aubrey’s administrativeassistant and AHS past parent, Amber FischerHufft ‘93 – Debby’s daughter and AHS alum,Tracy Homan – AHS math teacher andcoordinator of the race.location, but finally decided to cancel therace altogether. The group couldn’t afford topay the fee and didn’t want to have the raceanywhere but in the neighborhood aroundAssumption. Leaders of the group had tomake the difficult call to Nativity Academyand tell them the race was off.But Caswell wasn’t willing to backdown. She decided to email the mayorabout the fees, and she copied the emailand sent it to the owners of Fleet Feet. Theowner of Fleet Feet then sent Caswell’semail to The Courier-Journal. Soon after,Caswell got a call from a reporter whowanted to do a story on the city’s increasedfees, and a week and a half later, the storywas published on the front page ofThe Courier-Journal. By 8 a.m. that samemorning, Team Assumption received acall offering a big donation from an anonymousdonor. Later on, they receivedanother call with another big donationfrom Coit Cleaning and Restoration.Astonishingly, with only a month to plan it,the Point A 5k was back on the calendar.Team Assumption next discovered thatthe fee would not be $1,000, but it wouldactually be even higher. They had tofind an alternative to using the LouisvilleMetro Police for traffic control. Generously,Sheriff John Aubrey’s office offered toprovide traffic control for the race. Becauseof the sheriff’s office, we were able tomake a donation to Nativity Academy. OnDecember 19, Katie Caswell, and co-coordinatorof the race, Tracy Homan, delivered acheck to Nativity Academy for $2,015.Even with these struggles, TeamAssumption put together another outstandingrace for the benefit of NativityAcademy – with special thanks to thegenerosity and support of the donors andthe sheriff’s office.19

Sutherland receives awardAssumption Spanishteacher James Sutherlandwas presented the CatholicEducation FoundationTeacher Award for Excellencein Catholic Schoolsin November. Sutherlandteaches Spanish in grades nine through 12at Assumption, where he has been on thefaculty for six years. He also taught Spanishfor three years at Indiana University inBloomington.Sutherland is “one of the best teachersI’ve had the privilege to work with,” formerAssumption principal Mary Ann Steutermannwrote in nominating him for theaward. The nomination said that Sutherlandis “best known for all he does to helpstudents learn. He is a master of the use ofTPR as a teaching technique, which helpsstudents learn vocabulary using gestures.”“He is able to have students activelyinvolved in their learning and able toexcel in the reading, writing, speaking, andlistening skills essential to success with aforeign language,” the nomination added.The CEF Teacher Award recognizesteachers who consistently surpassexpectations, have creative teachingstyles, and serve as a positive influenceon students. Recipients receive a workof art and $1,000.- Article by Joseph DuerrThe Record, 11-6-08The award is sponsored by Dan and Helen Ulmer and family.Alumnae Class Updates2005Class Ambassadors: Maureen Melchior,Lana PohlHolly Grant competed in the 2008Chicago Marathon in October. Shefinished the race in 3 hours, 22 minutes.She was 30th in her age group and 187thof all the females.Stephanie Marshall is working as a nursingassistant and is still attending school.She moved back from Morehead,Kentucky, and is continuing nursingschool in Louisville where she has abouta year left until she earns her degree.Chasity Metcalfe Prophater married herwonderful husband, Ross, on September15, 2007. She recently graduated fromschool as a cosmetologist and is currentlyworking at Lebliss Salon and Spa on LexingtonRoad. Her lovely daughter turnedfour on December 15, 2008.20God smiles and gently asks of me:Can we walk this year together?by Gloria Thornburg,Campus MinisterA new year stands on my doorstepready to enter my life’s journey.Something in me welcomes this visitor:the hope of bountiful blessingsthe joy of a new beginningthe freshness of unclaimed surprises.Something in me fears this visitor:the unnamed events of future daysthe wisdom needed to walk love wellthe demands of giving away and growing.A new year stands on my doorstep.With fragile caution I moveto open the door for its entrance.My heart leaps with surprise,joy jumps in my eyes,for there beside this brand-new yearstands my God with outstretched hand!God smiles and gently asks of me:Can we walk this year together?And I, so overwhelmed with goodness,can barely whisper my reply:welcome in!- Joyce Rupp in Fresh Bread2009 stands on our doorstep, and because our faith assures us that we walk eachyear with God, we can welcome it in. We can welcome the moments of celebration inlate January when we celebrate Catholic Schools Week. Traditionally, our seniors sharereflections they have written about how being in Catholic schools has shaped theirlives. The theme this year is Catholic Schools Celebrate Service, which we do everyweek at Assumption. February will bring our second Mission Week. For the themethis year we have chosen The Power of Community. Freshmen will learn of their Mercyheritage and how to be proud members of the community of Sisters of Mercy as well asresponsible members of the Earth community. Sophomores will serve the larger communityat their ACTS agencies. Juniors will explore how poverty impacts community,and seniors will build community on retreat or on service immersion trips.A significant element this year for all our students will be our Dead Man Walking project.This ambitious undertaking is a senior dream, from several years ago, come to fruition. Itwill involve not just the production of the play but also activities in several academic departments,guest speakers and panel discussions, and advocacy follow-up activities. As the St.Joseph of Arimathea Society has put a face on the mercy value, Bury the Dead, so will thisproject put very human faces on Visit the Imprisoned. Living mercy values is sometimeschallenging and requires complete faith that God walks with us. Find time to discuss thecomplexities of the death penalty issue with your daughter, as we will be doing.Later in February, Lent begins and continues through March. Traditionally a somber time,Lent invites us to pensive introspection on our own spiritual journeys, our own walks toJerusalem, our own times of being misunderstood or of misunderstanding another, our owntimes of needing mercy, of being the stranger. The tremendous power of community issometimes felt most acutely when we are alone or lonely. The power of the Assumptioncommunity is centered on a great appreciation and profound respect for others: a senseof the sacredness of all life from conception to natural death. It’s not enough to be againstabortion; we must also be against poverty, against prejudice, against every act in any partof the world that degrades and devalues human life. The power of our community, even inthese bleak economic times, is in encouraging each other to find hope in the future, faith inourselves and in each other, and strength in walking with God. Welcome in, 2009.

Get all yourRocket Spirit Wear –Visit the Campus Store!Hours:Monday, Wednesday, and Friday7:25 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.Tuesday and Thursday7:25 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.On early dismissal days, the store will close10 minutes after dismissal.Start the New Year right...shop for spring at your Assumption Campus Store!The Campus Store is online!Check out all of the latest stylesat www.ahsrockets.org.

ASSUMPTIONMagazineNon-Profit Org.U.S. PostagePAIDLouisville, KYPermit #416Assumption High School2170 Tyler LaneLouisville, KY 40205Address Service RequestedAssumption MagazineOur Community ConnectionincorporatingRocket UpdateInside Wire &Counselor ConnectionAssumption High School is a nationally recognized School of Excellence sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy.OurMissionResponding to the Church’s call tocontinue the teachings ofJesus Christ,Assumption High School,sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy,is missionedto create a communityof lifelong learnersin search of truth.www.ahsrockets.org