Summer 2011 - Assumption High School

OurMissionRooted in the values of Jesus Christand the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy,Assumption High School, dedicated tothe development of the whole person,educates young women in a Catholiccommunity where faith guides,compassion inspires, integrity matters,and excellence empowers.OurVisionAssumption High School will thriveas the college preparatory schoolof choice for young women byproviding a wide range of educationaland co-curricular programs thatare complemented by spiritual andphysical development opportunities.This unique experience will educatethe whole person in a caring, Christianenvironment that is permeated withthe charism of Catherine McAuley,foundress of the Sisters of Mercy.Assumption graduates will be sociallyresponsible women, committed togospel living, lifelong learning, and alife of leadership and service in society.We will cultivate the investment andinvolvement of the community so thatthe legacy of this Mercy-sponsoredschool lives on for generations.On the CoverPage 3Excellence inTeachingand TEA AwardsPage 4Page 9Page 1680SI LOVE THEJust Like VH1-I Love the 80’s!Dawn DeweeseCongratulationsClass of 2011Keep the Dreamsof Mercy AliveGloria ThornburgInsidePresident’s Letter...............................................1Then and Now..................................................2Excellence Awards............................................3Just Like VH1–I Love the 80’s............................ 4Sports Update.................................................6There I Was…At the Top of Everything.............8Congratulations, Graduates ..............................9Honoring Coach Haworth at The Green........10Alumnae Reunion Weekend 2010...................11Community Spotlight..............................................12With Sympathy................................................15Weddings...............................................15Schools for Tomorrow Award.........................16Keep the Dreams of Mercy Alive......................16Alumnae Association Fall Events...................17Reunion Weekend 2011.....................Back coverOn the CoverCover photos - Class of 1961 by Langan SheaThe Class of 1961 will come together on September 23 and24 to celebrate their 50–year reunion at the third annual AHSReunion Weekend Celebration (see back cover for details). Upongraduation in June of 1961, the class was comprised of 100accomplished young women. The class of `61 is pictured here intheir three senior homerooms ( 1, 3, and 18).Cover photo - Class of 2011 by Elisabeth Russo `02On May 21, 2011, the Class of 2011 graduated with 199members, having earned nearly $14 million in scholarshipsand 1,742 college credits. See page 9 for more details on ournewest alumnae!ASSUMPTIONMagazineSUMMER 2011The Assumption Magazine is published three timesannually for Assumption parents, alumnae, and friends.We value your feedback. If you have information forclass updates, community spotlights, story ideas, or othercomments, please send them to editors@ahsrockets.orgor call the Advancement Office at 502-458-6258.EditorChrissy Perez Bratcher `97©2011 Assumption High SchoolAssumption High School2170 Tyler LaneLouisville, KY 40205Assumption Magazine Summer 2011

President’s Letter...On My MindDear Friends of Assumption,“Here’s to changing the world, one littlegirl at a time.” This quotation from anessay by Lisa Bloom in the HuffingtonPost was inspirational to me on manylevels. Always on my mind are the manyways we empower our young women atAssumption to be strong and confident. That goal is integralto our mission and has been for the 30 plus years I havebeen associated with the school. However, on June 1, 2011,I gained a whole new perspective when our first grandchild,a girl named Adalaine, was born.A month after this beautiful child was born, my daughter-inlaw,Kelley, posted a message on her Facebook page abouthow to talk to little girls, commenting that they need to tellAddi how strong and smart she is, along with telling herhow pretty and cute she is. That idea came from Kelley’sreaction to Lisa Bloom’s essay, in which she suggested that“teaching girls that their appearance is the first thing peoplenotice tells them that looks are more importantthan anything.”After reading this essay, I became recommitted to the goalto ask our Assumption students less about social happeningsand more questions about current events or things theywould change in the world if they could. We want ourdaughters to be strong in values and confident in relation-Empowering YoungWomenships with others, but we also want them to exhibit theirintelligence and ability to think, evaluate, and problem solve.Many alums are sending their daughters to Assumptionbecause of the experiences that made them resilient andself-assured women, and they want those same experiencesfor their daughters. Our mission to develop the wholeperson–mind, body, and spirit–is evident in the vast arrayof programs we offer. We have always placed an equalvalue on academics, spiritual experiences, and physicalchallenges. From the monthly liturgies or prayer servicesto the 55% of our total students who participate in anorganized sport, our students develop in so many waysthrough our extracurricular programs. These are the extraswe offer in a Catholic high school that is dedicated tohelping our students discover their best selves. We areproud of our graduates – both then and now. They areexceptional representatives in our city and in our country, ofthe mission of Assumption and the Sisters of Mercy.As always, thank you for entrusting your girls to our careand development. We are honored to help them prepare tochange the world!In mercy,Elaine Salvo H`10Seeking Rose Award NominationsThe Rose Award is a $5,000 grant created and endowed by an anonymous donorto recognize an administrator, faculty, or staff member who has been a positiveinfluence in the life of a current student or alumna.To nominate a current administrator, faculty, or staff member for the Rose Award,submit a letter of no more than one page of supporting information regardinghow the nominee has made a significant change in your life. Please send yourletter of nomination to Mrs. Salvo by email at elaine.salvo@ahsrockets.org.Beth Hicks H`10 was presented withthe 2010 Rose Award at the Thanksgivingprayer service.Past winners include Kathy Fleischer, registrar/administrative assistant; DawnDeweese, counselor; Barry Haworth, coach; Beth Hicks H`10, counselor; andAngela Lincoln `78, Jackie Metry, Rebecca Gootee Pate `98, and Mary PatSexton, teachers.For more information, please contact the Advancement Office at 502-458-6258.Assumption Magazine Summer 2011 1

Then and NowBecky Henle, PrincipalAs we finished anotherschool year – put itto bed so to speak, IBecky Henle once again marveledat the huge sense ofaccomplishment that the completion of aschool year brings. I also marveled at howthe joy over ending a year successfully isfollowed so quickly with excitement for thebeginning of the next year. It strikes me that“back then” administrators, faculty, staff,students, and parents felt the same way wedo “now.” While many things have changed– the uniforms, the courses, the schedule,the learning tools, the resources, and theopportunities – there are many things thathaven’t changed. Once again, our graduates,the Class of 2011, have left the halls ofAssumption, the place they have called homefor four years, ready to carry on the traditionof making a difference in our world. Manywill go on to be successful professionals,many will go on to serve others as caregivers,many will go on to be artists, and many willgo on to become teachers at their alma mater.We are so proud of all of our alumnae, butespecially proud of those who have comehome to be such valuable members of ourfaculty and staff. It reinforces that the valueswe hold dear and that we teach each day toour students are important to living life as an“Assumption girl.”Two of our “Assumption girls” who camehome to teach at Assumption are Jill Elder `00and Kelly Birchler Hovekamp `87. In theirmath and science classrooms, they have modeledthe faith, compassion, and integrity thatare so characteristic of our graduates. Andthey have embraced innovation in integratingtechnology in instruction by accepting veryimportant roles for the 2011-2012 schoolyear. Jill and Kelly will serve as our TechnologyIntegration Specialists and will lead ourteachers in the integration of tablet computersin instructional strategies. The excellencethey have achieved as teachers who believein providing our students with the bestinstruction and the best resources available isonly part of the reason that they were askedto take on these new positions. In their newroles, they will teach three classes each andprovide the professional development andsupport for our faculty as we phase in ourone-to-one student tablet computer initiative.They will continue to provide the valuesbasededucation that they received when theywere students in the late 80’s and the late 90’sto their students in 2011 and 2012.Our one-to-one computing program is justone of the reasons that we are so excited tobegin the 2011-2012 school year. Please feelfree to come by school for a visit, join us atone of our home games, attend our fall musicalproduction, or keep in touch through ourwebsite or email. We love to hear stories andshare the successes of our current studentsand our alumnae. Go Rockets!!!Alicia Morrow Johnson `96,Alumnae Association PresidentI hope you all are having a wonderfulsummer and I cannot believe another schoolyear is upon us. The fall always brings excitingactivities, and the next couple months are busyfor the alumnae and our association.Reunion Weekend is just around the corneron September 23-24. Congratulations to theclasses of 1961, `66, `71, `76, `81, `86, `91,`96, `01, and `06. Check out the ReunionWeekend details on the back cover for moreinformation.This fall, the Alumnae Association willbe hosting our second annual Trivia Nightbenefiting AHS students! We invite you to joinus on October 8 for a fantastic night for youand your friends and family to come and testyour trivia knowledge. Last year was a greatsuccess and we promise even more fun thisyear. Look for more details on page 17.2 Assumption Magazine Summer 2011On Wednesday, October 26, the AlumnaeAssociation will again be hosting our FamilyHalloween Night at AHS. There will be trick ortreating, face painting, and cookie decorating.Bring the kiddos out for some fun, dressed intheir Halloween finest!I invite you all to submit updates aboutschool, your careers, and families by going towww.ahsrockets.org, clicking “Alumnae” fromthe menu at the top, then selecting “UpdateContact Information.” This includes you,recent graduates!I would also like to take this opportunityto thank all my fellow board members fortheir continued and incredible dedicationto Assumption. The past two years servingas president with the rest of the board havebeen a wonderful growth experience forme. Although I am wrapping up my term aspresident, I look forward to continuing to serveAHS as a member of the board. I feel honoredto have served you all and know I speak forthe rest of the board in saying a big thankyou to all the alums who continue to supportAssumption.Have a wonderful year,Alicia Morrow Johnson `96Do you have a bowling ball you candonate to our new bowling program?Please contact Bobby Blair at502-271-2555 orbobby.blair@ahsrockets.orgwith any donations.We needbowlingballs!

Paula Spugnardi – Winner ofKaren Russ Excellence in Teaching AwardThe Karen Russ Excellence in Teaching Award, named for a former principal of Assumption, isa cash award given to a teacher who has sustained excellence in teaching as a member of theAssumption community for at least five years. He or she is a positive role model for studentsand teachers, is actively involved in co-curricular activities, has a willingness to help studentsbeyond the classroom, and demonstrates professional and/or community involvement.This year’s winner is communications teacher Paula Spugnardi! Paula has been teaching atAssumption for 19 years. Her calming presence is inspiring, and she lives a very balanced life,devoted to her family and active in her church, as well as the AHS community. She is a leaderin the family program, frequently communicating with family members and encouraging theirparticipation. She leads retreats, dances in pep rallies, and helps with the Bloom Theatreprogram. In her homeroom, she is the teacher who makes connections with students, alwayscertain that birthdays are celebrated, awards acknowledged, and tender care administeredas needed.Paula is a person that other teachers go to for a positive stroke, a listening ear, or a confidenceboost. She readily sends notes of encouragement and thanks to her colleagues. Compassioninspires this model of mercy.Paula SpugnardiThe Excellence Award for Staff(TEA) Honors Ross StonecipherThe Excellence Award for Staff (TEA Award) is a cash award given to a current, nonteachingstaff member who has sustained excellence as a member of the Assumptioncommunity for at least five years; is a positive role model for students, faculty, staff,administrators; and who consistently exceeds expectations of his/her position in atruly exceptional manner. Any current faculty, staff, or administrator may nominatea current non-teaching staff member. The application asks the nominator to showevidence of each of the criteria listed above.This year’s winner is maintenance department member Ross Stonecipher! Ross hasbeen a member of the Assumption maintenance department for seven years. Heloves and cares for Assumption and the students; he has a great sense of respect foreveryone he works with, listening to their needs and helping however possible. Rossnever expects anything in return, is very humble, and does not seek attention orpraise for jobs that are always well done. Excellence empowers this member of theAHS family.Ross StonecipherAssumption Magazine Summer 20113

Counselor CornerJust like VH1- I Love the 80s!Dawn DeweeseStudent Assistance CounselorWhat do these three thingshave in common: RonaldReagan, Duran Duran, andDallas? When I was fourteen,Ronald Reagan was President.When I was fourteen, postersof Duran Duran hung in myroom and I thought I was prettycool when I got my own personalcassette player with headphones.When I was fourteen, I watched thetelevision show “Dallas” with the ferventinterest that today’s teens watch Jersey Shore. When I was 14, I curledmy bangs in a three step daily process: curl one row of bangs down,curl second row of bangs up, run fingers through bangs and spraynewly created poufy bangs with enough hairspray to keep my bangsintact in the event of a hurricane. When I was 14, my family car wasa station wagon with the faux-wood side panels. Nice! Think back towhen you were 14. What were you listening to on the radio? Whatwere you watching on television? What were you wearing? Fashiontrends, musical tastes, and politics may have changed over time but theproblems facing high school students have remained fairly constant,like our automobiles and hairstyles – the problems just look a littledifferent now.I LOVE THE80SLooking back on my high school years, I would definitely say thatI experienced some bullying. I vividly recall not being invited toa sleepover to which my best friend and several other friends wereinvited. I vividly recall a guy calling me “Nosey” every single day ofhigh school because, as he explained repeatedly, he thought I had abig nose. I remember two girls in my choir class who would oftentell me they “liked”my outfits and thenlaugh hysterically asthough I would not...school policies combined withat-home intervention are surely a powerful antidote toadolescent bullying.4 Assumption Magazine Summer 2011policies related to bullying” (http://www.education.com/reference/article/what-programs-stop-bullying/). As a counselor, it makes mevery happy that Assumption has a comprehensive bullying policy inplace for our students. Although technology may have changed themeans and methods of bullying over the years, Assumption is on topof these changes by having a policy in place. Printed in the Student/Parent Handbook, the policy defines and lists the consequences forseven different forms of bullying which include cyber bullying and visualbullying. Students are encouraged to report instances of bullyingand our dean of students, Cindi Baughman, conducts a very thoroughinvestigation. Appropriate disciplinary consequences are applied tothe offending student(s). Students are also encouraged to work withtheir counselor to discuss the emotional side effects of bullying.Over the years, we have changed our hairstyles and thankfullygotten rid of faux-wood paneling on station wagons and I am surethat my beloved “Dallas” TV show would now be called “The RealHousewives of Dallas.” Clearly, our students have changed theirmeans of bullying with the dawning of Facebook and text messages,but we are keeping up with the times here at Assumption and haveclear policies in place to help students who are the targets of meanspiritedbullies.You can help thwart mean spiritedness at home, too, by creatingyour own house “policies” on bullying. Eyesonbullying.org recommendsintervention anytime you hear your daughter making meancomments about someone. Silence communicates acceptance(http://www.eyesonbullying.org/intervention.html). Let your daughterknow that you will have zero tolerance for meanness toward otherstudents. Our school policies combined with at-home interventionare surely a powerful antidote to adolescent bullying....at Assumption...clear policies...help studentswho are the targets of mean-spirited bullies.comprehend theirthinly veiled teasingabout my non-designer label clothes and purses. To add fuel tothe bullying fire, I had a mouthful of braces and orthodontia with acomplicated system of rubber bands which made me never want toopen my mouth in class, much less ever report any of the meannessperpetrated on me by other students. Thank goodness there was noFacebook back then. Technology has added another dimension to theexisting problem of adolescent bullying. Things teens would neversay by phone or face-to-face, they feel free to express online withoutfear of repercussion.According to education.com, one of the best ways schools can preventbullying is to have in place “programs that name clear rules andLastly, for the guy whocalled me “Nosey” everysingle day for an entireschool year, while in themidst of being chided byhim and praying for a merciful change in the seating chart, I oftenthought about what the perfect comeback would be to his daily meanremarks. In the end, I think that I would just say “thank you” becausea year’s worth of constant bullying on his behalf just made me all themore sensitive to how devastating it feels to the students with whom Iwork. Unfortunately, he did not attend my high school reunion, so Iwas unable to resolve this mystery and it left me wondering if he didnot attend because perhaps he felt a twinge of shame for how badlyhe treated many students in high school and did not want to face usagain. Or, maybe he was too busy still making fun of people? Eitherway, I am grateful for the experience and the life lessons learned.

,Alumnae Class Updates compiled by Jackie Bloyd1971 1974 (continued)Class Ambassador NeededJane C. Sandusky, MS, ATC, LAT, is the2010-2011 residential college recipientof the Teaching Excellence and CampusLeadership Award at Tusculum College inGreeneville, Tennessee.1973Class Ambassador Neededand Italy during the Holy Year 2000 to gothrough the Holy Doors. She plans to returnin 2025 when they reopen them. She isthankful to Assumption every day! She saysAHS IS America’s Most Talented!1978Class Ambassadors: Tina Blincoe Doll,Jean Filiatreau Porter, Bee Raque Mc-Cormick1986 (continued)be catechist again and co-op teacher. Texasis a great place to home school and thereare over a hundred Catholic (and hundredsof other) home schooling families to shareactivities with. She enjoys the support ofother Catholic attachment parenting momswho meet regularly for a combination playgroup/book club. If you are visiting or consideringmoving to the Austin area, pleaselook us up.Robyn Hoffmann became certified inhealth care compliance by the HealthCare Compliance Association (HCCA) inMarch 2010. She says there is nothing liketaking a multiple-choice, timed exam tostimulate a then 54-year-old’s brain andanxiety level! She and her husband, Brent,have lived in Groton Bank, Connecticut,since October 2005. They enjoy living ina historic community, in a house that wasbuilt in 1787 by Captain Rufus Avery, asurvivor of the Battle of Groton Heightsduring the American Revolution. Becauseof her interest in historic preservation, shehas served on two municipal committeesthat were established in an effort to addressthe need for renovation of Thames Street inGroton. They were successful in getting aresolution passed in May 2011 to advancethis project. Robyn and Brent markedtheir fourth wedding anniversary on July7, 2011. They enjoy hosting an annualKentucky Derby Day party and attendingthe Belmont Stakes on Long Island. In June,they witnessed Robyn’s step-daughter’sundergraduate commencement at theCollege of the Atlantic in Bar Harbour,Maine. Her name is Kallie and Robyn’sstep-son, Brenner, lives in Brooklyn, NewYork, and is the lead guitarist for the band“Broken Glow”. They have a beautifulcopper and white Siberian Husky, Nikita,who was a shelter rescue. Life is great!Peace, Hoff1974Class Ambassadors: Terri Potter Schlader,Cheri Zoeller LeistnerJudith Curtsinger is living as a companionto her mother and they are loving their timetogether. They have great people in theirparish and Judith is preparing to visit with theBenedictine sisters at Fort Smith, Arkansas,for a retreat. She is returning to school tothe Ed.D program at Creighton University.She misses Kentucky and still cries whenthey play “My Old Kentucky Home” on TV.She wants to come back to Kentucky whenschool is over. She was able to visit RomeCarolyn House Gregory reports that herhusband Ed’s son Andrew is finishing hisfirst year of law school at the Universityof North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ed’sdaughter, Nancy Gregory Herren Jernigan,is a legally blind artist in Leland, NorthCarolina.Nancy Linker Harper and her husband,Rick, were married on May 25, 2010.Nancy spends her days with her youngestgrandson, Lyric. She has six grandchildrenby her children and five grandchildren andtwo great-grandchildren by her husband’schildren. She works as a receptionist andvet assistant at Jefferson Animal Hospitaland also does wildlife rehabilitation.1984Class Ambassador: Joey Mitchel KisselMichelle Delk Hoskins and her family hada big year in 2010. After 20 plus years inClarksville, Indiana, they moved to theCharlestown Township. They purchasedanother “fixer” with a lot of potential andsome property. Michelle received a promotionto a management position last September,and she and her husband, Mike, becamegrandparents last December. Their grandson,Duncan Joseph “D.J.”, arrived three monthsearly, but received great care at Kosair and isdoing well. Michelle’s two younger children,McLain and Maci, think it’s great to be anuncle and an aunt. Michelle enjoys stayingin touch with classmates and thanks JoeyMitchell Kissel for her efforts in keeping theClass of 1984 in touch!1986Class Ambassadors: Anne Dages Nutt,Sharon Stout CullopLisa Dubicki Schroder and her husband,Kurt, enjoy home schooling and pottytraining their four children while overseeingthe renovation of their rural Victorianhome and planning the next Europeanfamily vacation. When “away-from-home”school activities resume in the fall, Lisa will1987Class Ambassadors: Maria Moll Mozzali,Tracy RedmonMichelle “Shellie” Miller-Dunn and herhusband, Patrick, have been married for 19years. They have two children, Brody, 16,who will graduate from Covington CatholicHigh School in 2012, and Adeline, 13, whowill graduate from Notre Dame Academy in2016. Shellie retired from Bethesda Hospitalin 2004 where she worked as an RN/RRTin the ER for 14 years. She now runs anon-profit organization called 4th for OurSoldiers. This was Brody’s brain child sixyears ago. They collect items and raise fundsto send care packages overseas to soldiers inIraq and Afghanistan. Over the past six yearsthey have sent over 10 tons of care boxesand raised over $20,000 for packaging andpostage.Mary Ann Connell Wheatley retired fromLouisville Metro Government in August 2010after 22 plus years of service. Her careerincluded working in the Louisville Zoobusiness office, City Finance, and the last 14years she worked for the Office of InternalAudit. She is enjoying the extra time that shehas now to spend with family – her husband,Frank, and son, Clayton, a second grader atAscension. She is looking forward to her firstsummer off in a very long time!1992Class Ambassadors: Leah Riggs Graves,Theresa Liebert SchuhmannLynzie DanielleBoozeJennifer Downs Boozeand her husband, Danny,are proud to announce thebirth of their new baby girl,Lynzie Danielle, on April14, 2011. She weighed 6pounds, 2 ounces, and was19 inches long. Jenniferand Danny celebrated theirfourth wedding anniversaryin May.continued on page 7Assumption Magazine Summer 20115

SportsUpdateSportsUpdateA First – Rocket Tennis Takes State Championship!Bobby Blair, Athletic DirectorMaddie Phillips `11, Elizabeth Przystawski `11, Emily Przystawski `11, andAbbie Mather `13LacrosseThe lacrosse team had many ups and downs in the win/losscolumn but showed what they were made of in a vigorousand heartbreaking loss to Ballard in the state tournamentquarterfinals. Wins over rival Mercy and near misses against thetop tier teams in the state demonstrate that this young program isheading in the right direction.Jorgie Dermody (attack), Allison Schladand (midfield), AmyVanover (defense), and Delaney Carter (goalie) made the 2011All-State Team this year. It is a great honor for the girls and for theprogram that Assumption players were selected to the All-StateTeam in every position on the field. Delaney Carter was alsonamed the 2011 Kentucky Lacrosse Association Goalie of theYear. Congratulations to these girls and the team for an awesomeseason!SoftballThe 2011 Rockets featured a team with just three seniors and alot of youth. Injuries and weather were not enough to deter theRockets who posted an amazing 24-10 record against a rigorousschedule that included a co-championship for the Crusade forChildren Tournament and a third place finish in the WaverlyCentral Diamond Classic. The season ended with a loss to seventhranked Male High School in the regional tournament, but this wasa tremendous team to watch as they flourished throughout theseason.Check out the list of indiviual honors garnered by our girls:Morgan Foley – Kentucky East/West All-Star-Juniors, All 7thRegion, 7th Region Junior All Star, All District Tournament Team,All Region Tournament Team; Alex Wethington – All DistrictTournament Team, 7th Region Junior All Star; Shelby Janes – All7th Region, 7th Region Senior All Star; Emily Carmack – All 7thRegion, All District Tournament Team, 7th Region Junior All Star;Alicia Guelda – 7th Region Senior All Star; Carly Barrett – 7thRegion Junior All Star.Tennis2011 STATE CHAMPIONS!!! After finishing as the state runneruplast year, the Rocket tennis team captured our first tennis statetitle in school history this year defeating Lone Oak 3-1 in thechampionship. This team posted a 17-2 record and was led byseniors Emily Przystawski, Elizabeth Przystawski, and MaddiePhillips. All three seniors and sophomore Abbie Mather qualifiedfor the singles and doubles tournament, respectively, with thedoubles pair of Elizabeth Przystawski/ Maddie Phillips playingin the semifinals of the doubles tournanment before sealing ourteam title in the team championship match later in the afternoon!It was a grueling tournament, but these girls rose to the challenge.Congratulations to the entire tennis team including Jessica Rallo,Caroline Morris, Kelly Morris, Grace Edwards, Katie Smith, andAnna Simon and first-year coach Marge Rousch on a season forthe record books!CrewThe crew team had an interesting year finding new and innovativeways to practice their rowing techniques. The spring rainsand raised Ohio River forced this team into many days on the ergmachines and even a trip to Taylorsville Lake just to get on thewater. All the dry land practice paid off for our varsity 4 boat thatfinished fourth in their heat during the Oak Ridge (Tennessee)Regatta. Congratulations, Rocket Rowers!TrackOur running Rockets finished an amazing season culminatingwith a 4th Region track title and placing in a tie for sixth in theclass 3A State Championships! The highlight of the day came inthe 4 x 800 meter relay. Our relay team of Ellen Marko, MelanieStrothman, Amanda Vokoun, and Caroline McCaslin delivered ourfirst state champion 4 x 800m relay title and became only the secondAssumption relay team in school history to win state. The girls camewithin four seconds of the state record, running the second fastest4 x 800m relay time in state history and breaking the former schoolrecord by an amazing 18 seconds. Congratulations to these girls andthe entire entire track program and our other state performers AnnieCrotty, Camille Lannert, Olivia Wrocklage, Brandy Orth-Becker,Katie Todd, Dee Dee Sliter, Ashley El Rady, Bailey Davis, DelanieParker, Taylor Schladand, Katherine Receveur, Emily Bean, MelanieStrothman, and Hannah Elliott!Caroline McCaslin`12, Ellen Marko `11, Melanie Strothman `12, andAmanda Vokoun `126 Assumption Magazine Summer 2011

Alumnae Class Updates compiled by Jackie Bloyd1992 (continued)Class Ambassadors: Leah Riggs Graves,Theresa Liebert SchuhmannLeah Riggs Graves and her husband, Ryan,proudly announce the birth of their fourthchild, Sarah Diane, on September 26, 2010.She joins big brothers, Matthew, 8, Joseph, 6,and big sister, Anna, 3. Leah recently quit herjob at Jewish Hospital after 17 years to returnto school to become a nurse practitioner.1993Class Ambassadors: Sarah Pierce Mann,Courtney Thompson Potts, Rachel CrainWaddleCallie Rose CoopNicole Biven Coop and husband, Adam, proudlyannounce the birth of their second child, CallieRose, on April 8, 2011. She weighed 8 pounds,3 ounces, and was 19½ inches long. Callie joinsproud big brother, Dylan, 2.Connie Verrill Murphy and her husband,Josh, welcomed their first child, Porter Jacob,on May 23, 2011. He weighed 7 pounds,15 ounces, and was 21 inches long.Amanda Rouse Thompson and her husband,Doug, proudly announce the birth of theirdaughter, Willa Rae, on January 3, 2011.She weighed 8 pounds and joins big sisters,Roz, 7, and Vivian, 2.1994Class Ambassador: Colleen SmithLeo Christopher with big brother,Luke Joseph GadanskyCori Guild Gadansky and her husband, Chris,are proud to announce the birth of their son,Leo Christopher, on January 25, 2011. Leo waswelcomed to the family by proud big brother,Luke Joseph, 5.1994 (continued)Angel Heather Marie Redinger Harrell is takingclasses at UofL to become an art teacher.She and her husband, Scott, live in Louisville.1995Class Ambassadors: Kenzie Kapp, RachelNiemann SellMolly, Isabelle holding SamuelGerard, and James HobbsAngela Liebert Hobbs and her husband,James, proudly announce the birth of theirfourth child, Samuel Gerard, on September15, 2010. He joins big sisters, Isabelle, 9,and Molly, 6, and big brother, James, 4.Angela and her family live in Elizabethtownwhere Angela is a stay-at-home mom whohomeschools her three oldest children.1996Class Ambassador: Melisa Ohlmann WimsattMary Gies Austin opened an engineeringfirm, Austin Engineering, Inc., in Paducah,Kentucky, in 2009 which provides civil engineeringconsulting and design services in fivestates. Mary and her husband enjoy the smalltown life of Paducah with their three greatchildren: Matthew, who is in seventh grade,Elizabeth, who is in first grade, and Patrick,who is in preschool at St. Mary’s. The childrenkeep them busy with soccer, baseball, scouts,gymnastics, and orchestra. Matthew washonored to play the bass with the PaducahSymphony at the Carson Center in April.Karrie Ralston andDarren McKinnonwith Scarlett ElizabethKarrie RalstonMcKinnon and herhusband, Darren,proudly announcethe birth of theirfirst child, ScarlettElizabeth, on June19, 2011 (Father’sDay!). She weighed 7pounds, 12 ounces,and was 20½ incheslong.Beth Hrastinski Roberts is thoroughlyenjoying being a stay-at-home mom to herfour beautiful kids: Aidan, 7, Austin, 5,Noah, 2, and precious baby, Ava, 1.1997Class Ambassadors: Jessi Evans Alexander,Laura Blaser, Emma Hayes, Katie KingHilary Thiemann-Holden Maglothin and herhusband, Michael, celebrated their 10-yearwedding anniversary on June 15. They areenjoying life in Acton, Massachusetts, withtheir three adorable children: Ellie, Atticus, andAlistair. Also, Hilary has started her own business,Rainbow Dough,making 100% glutenfree aromatherapymodeling clay. Pleasecheck out the sitewww.rainbowdough.com and pass it on toanyone who may be interested. If you placean order, please use coupon code: loveAHS.You will receive a 10% discount off your entireorder because, of course, they do love AHS!1999Class Ambassadors: Caryn Willian Leavens,Jackie Rossano MylesJill PlappertHigginbotham2001Jill Plappert Higginbothamis proud to announce theopening of J Michael’s Spa& Salon located in the oldSears building in the heartof St. Matthews. Afteralmost 10 years in theindustry, she is happy tohave achieved her dreamof owning her own spa andsalon. Jill is thankful for thesupport of husband Paul, her father and businesspartner, Jerry, and her daughters, Isabella andAudrey.Class Ambassador: Laura Wallitsch GreenKatie Buehner Bratcher and her husband,Patrick, celebrated their anniversary in August.They have an amazing little boy, Colin,who is seven years old and in first grade.Noel Spence is engaged to marry RisoStraley on September 10, 2011, at WhitehallHouse and Gardens.continued on page 14If you’re not getting the monthlyalumnae eNewsletterPlease go to www.ahsrockets.org,click the “Alumnae” menu, then click“Update Contact Information”and include your email address.We’ll be sure you are added to our listfor the next eNewsletter.Assumption Magazine Summer 20117

Mount Kilimanjaro“There I was…At the top of everything.”Rising sophomore Katherine Cook just returned from Kenyawhere she and a group of tenacious friends successfully scaledthe largest mountain on the continent of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro.No small feat when you consider that the mountain stands at astaggering 19,000 feet above sea level, and that only about half ofthe 15,000 people who attempt the climb each year actually makeit to the summit.This past March, Cook was struck with the idea that she couldmake something more out of her trip to Africa when she saw howa massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami ravaged the peopleof Japan. Cook and long-time family friend, Hayes Hagan, a risingjunior at St. Xavier High School, were looking for a way to helppeople in need. While they were unable to find a feasible avenueto help the earthquake victims, Cook and Hagan teamed up withtheir parish at the Church of the Epiphany to raise funds for othersin need.Sr. Larraine Lauter, administrator for Social Responsibility atEpiphany, travels to Tegucigalpa, Honduras twice a year to performvarious ministries. One of the most important ministries she provides,along with dedicated teams of parishioners, is to help provide cleandrinking water to the poor. With funds raised by the Mt. KilimanjaroHike for Honduras, Lauter is going to be able to purchase 40 waterfilter systems and training materials. These systems will be distributedin August to women in the poorest parts of Tegucigalpa, the capitalcity of Honduras.assistant guides, and 64 porters who carried all of the necessarygear up the mountain. They climbed through several different ecosystemson their way to the summit, experiencing drastic changes inclimate and surroundings from lush jungle to volcanic rock and ashto snow fields and glaciers.While Cook has traveled internationally before, this was her firsttrip to a third-world nation, and the experience had a profoundeffect on the fifteen year old. As members of the AHS crew team andthe St. X tennis team, respectively, Cook and Hayes had plenty ofphysical training to prepare for their climb, but nothing in Louisvillecould prepare them for the extremes brought on by altitude. Cook’sworst day was the day before her team reached the summit. Shesuffered acute altitude sickness, which resulted in oxygen levels inthe mid 50s, a pulse of 143, along with headache and sore throat.But it was all worth it when they reached 19,340 feet and the summitthe next day.When asked what adventures she has planned for the future, Cookresponds “I really want to travel to Argentina with the AHS exchangeprogram in a couple of years. And I want to go to Honduras withmy church when I am in college.” But for now, she is satisfied withher recent momentous accomplishment. “The best part was gettingto know everyone. Being on top of a mountain can really bring allkinds of people together.”- Abbie Gramig Trowbridge `98There were people from all over America and from variousbackgrounds on Cook’s team: a doctor, a grad-student, a mother andson team—all of whom were there for their own reasons, motivatedby unique circumstances. The team traveled with three guides, three8 Assumption Magazine Summer 2011

Congratulations . . .Class of 2011Graduating class of 2011Our Differences Unite UsEvery Friday morning at Assumption, the school day sounds off witha familiar mantra during the morning announcements: Remember whowe are. We are the community of Assumption. Everyone knows it, everyonecan recite it, and some people even mouth along with the phrase.It might be a routine saying, but there is a lot of truth behind the words.During my time at Assumption, the word community has meant a lotto me. Everyone loves something different in the community of Assumption,but all of our interests and passions give us something in common:a love for our school. For me, the Rose Theatre Company has not onlybeen my community, it has been like a family.My freshman year was spent testing the waters of all the differentactivities at Assumption. When I saw a play my first year, I knew that waswhere I had to be. In my sophomore year, I was cast in a production ofSteel Magnolias. I was instantly welcomed into a family that fostered mylove of acting as well as my growth as a person.A new director, Mr. Doug Sumey, joined the company at the beginningof my junior year. Mr. Sumey was also instantly welcomed to the theatrefamily. The Rose Theatre company blossomed and the family strengthenedthat year. Through the company, I have formed strong friendships withmy cast, crew, and director in the pursuit of a great show. I’ve learnedthat there is something almost magical about the theatre. By workingwith people I loved, the final product became all the more meaningful.My most treasured experience in the company was in our 2010 fallmusical production of Fiddler on the Roof. It was an incredible showbecause of the community we formed off stage. Through our bonding asa cast and crew, we were able to show the closeness of the people weportrayed. On the last day as we took down our amazing set and said ourgoodbyes, a lot of people were actually crying! That kind of emotion is atestament to the community we form at Assumption.Whether it’s our unstoppable volleyball team, our inspiring GlobalIssues Club, or those wonderful “theatre kids,” every student can callAssumption her home away from home. Each young woman at Assumptionhas her own passion to pursue, and those passions give each of us thechance to bond as an entire school. Though everyone has differentinterests, we are all bound together by our love and appreciation for thememories we’ve made in our halls. For some of my friends, it might betheir time with the cross country team or student council. For me, it isthe auditions, the backstage memories, and the curtain calls that I willcherish. That’s the beautiful thing about Assumption: it is our differencesand the opportunity to explore those differences that unite us.- Meredith Francis `11The Class of 2011:• Received more than $13.8 million in college scholarships.• 98% pursuing higher education.• Graduated two students who were recognized by theNational Merit Corporation.• Yielded nine students who were accepted to theGovernor’s Scholars Program.• Graduated 19 Kentucky Department of EducationCommonwealth Diploma recipients.• Yielded 19 AP Scholars.• Produced two Congressional Art Award Finalists.• Earned 1,742 hours of college credit through the AP programand the CP program.• Performed 44,801 hours of community service throughoutJefferson County and beyond.• Received the Columbia Scholastic Press AssociationGold Medal Award - Rosecall staff.Alumnae Mothers ofAssumption 2011 GraduatesAlumnaNikki Cordova Broderick `92Kelly O`Brien Cappy `83Mary Thompson Cecil `78Maureen Malone Conkin `78Ellen Barry Connelly `83Nancy Ryan Coomes `84Leslie Hoskinson Corrigan `82Sharon Hall Dancy `80Margie Caster DeMuth `82Sharon Tobbe Foster `77Stephanie Sauter Gerstle `73Terri Kamber Gettelfinger `81Kathy McCauley Ising `76Stacy O`Bryan Jordan `94Susan Luckett Jury `82Ellen Costelle Keene `81Ann Redmon Kleinholter `82Mary Beth Friedman Marshall `82Julie O`Bryan `77Becky Dermody Phillips `81Cathy Oldiges Purcell `73Sue Weis Redmon `59Margaret Deatrick Reesor `76Nancy Pierce Schladand `76Rebecca Shulthise Schweiger `82Susan McDowell Standridge `79Donna Prather Stukenborg `86Missy Meagher Tompkins `84Brenda Hall Vanover `82Erica Yates Walsh `89Joan Costelle Wiedmar `78Ann Hall Wolz `83Diane Domalewski Wrocklage `74GraduateBrooke BroderickCaroline CappyKate CecilMadeline ConkinPaige ConnellyCasey CoomesNatalie CorriganJill DancyElizabeth DeMuthHaley FosterJenna GerstleCasey GettelfingerMaggie IsingSamantha EsareyClaire JuryEmily KeeneRachel KleinholterCourtney MarshallKatie PriceDarby PhillipsLaura PurcellLauren WheelerTherese ReesorAllison SchladandBethany SchweigerErin StandridgeSarah StukenborgMeaghen TompkinsAmy VanoverKelsey YatesErin WiedmarMeagan WolzOlivia WrocklageAssumption Magazine Summer 20119

Expanding the Campus for Athletics and Science EducationStarting This Fall8,800 Square-Foot Building and Press BoxesAthletics• Restrooms• Locker Rooms• Concessions• Training Room andEquipment Storage• Press Boxes• Family Picnic Area• Batting Cages• Scoreboards• OfficesScience–Environmental Education• A Green Roof• Water Conservation Systems• Renewable Energy Sources• Air Quality Controls• Storm Water Management Systems• Advanced Lighting Techniques andMaximum Use of Natural Light• Maximum Use of High PerformanceBuilding Products• ClassroomCoach Barry Haworthcongratulates a memberof his team.Honoring Coach Barry HaworthPast and present cross country, track and field team membersraise funds to name Haworth Hall at The Green“He changed our lives….whether it was bymaking us stronger people or stronger runners.”-Katie FizerCurrent junior Katie Fizer wassearching for a way to express howgrateful she felt to someone whohad really made a difference in herlife. She had tried a special Christmas gift – a pair of socks – butsomehow that just didn’t communicate the depth of her feelingsof gratitude and admiration. How could she adequately expressto Coach Barry Haworth just how important he was to her and toall the members of the cross country team? In Katie’s words, “Hechanged our lives….whether it was by making us stronger peopleor stronger runners.”Over the years, thousands of Rockets have participated in crosscountry and/or track and field – both very popular and competitiveAHS programs. With numerous regional titles, two state runnerupteam finishes, and three state titles, our programs have grownand excelled under the direction of our talented and dedicatedhead coach, Barry Haworth. Coach Barry is beloved by his studentathletes. They know and experience his dedication to the missionand values of Assumption. He is a most gifted motivator – alwaysthere to help each girl develop into the best athlete, student, andyoung woman that she is capable of being. Katie searched for theperfect way that she and her teammates could say thank you.Finally, Katie resorted to typical Rocket behavior – dream bigand then seek support! She worked with the AHS AdvancementOffice to invite current students and parents, alums (former crosscountry, track and field participants) and their parents to share inher plan to raise money to name the hall of the new building at TheGreen in honor of Coach Barry – it would become Haworth Hall.Testimonial notes and donations flowed in, and on June 2, 2011,at the annual track and field team celebration, Coach Haworthwas surprised to learn that his contributions to AHS will live on formany years with the naming of Haworth Hall at The AssumptionGreen.Assumption will break ground this fall to complete The Green byconstructing a building that will house restrooms and lockers, aconcession stand, offices, and a classroom that will complementour environmental education program and the sustainable designfeatures throughout the building.Katie Fizer `12For more information or to donate toThe Green or to Haworth Hall,visit www.completethegreen.comor call the Advancement Office at502-458-6258Support the Assumption Green.Order an engraved paver today!Purchase online atwww.ahsrockets.org/The Assumption Greenor call the Advancement Office at 502-458-6258.10 Assumption Magazine Summer 20114”x 8” brick2 lines/18 characters per line*8”x 8” brick4 lines/18 characters per line*16” x 16” block7 lines/16 characters per line**includes spaces and punctuation$250$500$2,500

Alumnae Reunion Weekend 2010Marilyn Miller Scholtz `60, Judy Reilly Johnson `60, SissyKahl Kamer `60, and Sister Mary Prisca PfefferThe Class of 1960 gathers for their group photo.Jackie Bloyd, Caroline McCoy `00, Kathy Cox, MaryLee McCoy.AHS AlumnaeIn The CommunityBetty Straub Doeden `60 and BarbaraWetter Preston `60Allison Moore East `00, Tessa Morrow Dunteman `00,Meredith Gruebbel `00, Jaslyn Suel Seese `00, andStephanie Bruce `00Pink & White Game 2011Claudia Coffey `91, reporter/anchor forWHAS11; Jane Cornette Merman `98, GoRed For Women director at the AmericanHeart Association; and Monica Hardin`00, morning anchor for WLKY, attendedthe Go Red For Women luncheon on May19, 2011, at the Kentucky InternationalConvention Center. The Go Red ForWomen luncheon is sponsored by theAmerican Heart Association and raisesmoney and awareness to fight heart diseasein women and build healthier families.Dennis Lampley, Trinity; Beverly McAuliffe, SHA; Elaine Salvo, AHS; Perry Sangalli, St. Xavier;Tammy McClanahan, Norton Healthcare; Lynnie Meyer `83, Norton Healthcare.The fourth annual Pink and Whitefootball game was held at St. X thisyear. With more than 3,000 fanscheering them on, the Assumptionteam played a great game but lostto SHA in the final quarter. With a$25,000 donation to Norton CancerInstitute’s Breast Health Program,everyone wins!Assumption Magazine Summer 201111

Community Spotlight Chrissy Perez Bratcher ‘97Chloe Zoeller `12 and Amanda Vokoun `12accept the KIPPIE Award from Tim Darst.Assumption was chosen to receive a KIPPIEAward by Kentucky Interfaith Power andLight because of “our outstanding care forGod’s creation.” Sally Craven, Tim Darst,Chloe Zoeller `12, and Amanda Vokoun `12accepted the award on behalf of Assumption.Chloe and Amanda gave wonderful presentationsexplaining what Assumption doesregarding green practices.Assumption had three students make quarterfinals(top 24) in Impromptu Speaking atthe Smoky Mountain Invitational sponsoredby Carson Newman College – junior TriciaDunlevy, sophomore Erin McKune, andfreshman Johanna Butler. The Duo Interpretationteam of juniors Amy Davis and CindyWhite also made quarterfinals. SophomoresLauren Wice and Mary Fischer werequarterfinalists in Declamation. SophomoreAmanda Nitzken was a semifinalist (top 12) inDeclamation. Sophomore Meredith Ernstbergerfinished fifth overall in Declamation.Congratulations to the members of theSpeech Team who traveled to WesternKentucky University to represent Assumptionat the Kentucky High School SpeechLeague State Tournament. It was a greataccomplishment for each member to qualifyfor this tournament against the strongcompetition in Kentucky this year. Receivingawards at the state tournament werefreshman Johanna Butler who was a statesemifinalist in Extemporaneous Speaking;junior Rebecca Clements who was a statesemifinalist in Dramatic Interpretation; andjunior Tricia Dunlevy who made the finalround in Original Oratory and finished fifthin the state! Congratulations on a successfulend to the season!Seniors Stefanie Muller and Kristen Cherryand juniors Chloe Zoeller and Emily Sturgeonparticipated on behalf of AssumptionHigh School at the Academic WorldQuestCompetition. These students representedAssumption well and as the host said, all ofthe teams were winners in preparing for theevent as well as showing up!Congratulations to the students who representedAssumption at the Region 3 FutureLeaders of America conference at JCC Southwestcampus. We are very proud of each ofyou. The following students placed secondin the Management Decision Making Eventand went on to compete at the state FBLAconference in April: sophomore Ayla Cornettand juniors Alex Miller and Traci Stansbury.Congressman John Yarmuth with junior SavannahMillerJunior Savannah Miller won the 2011 CongressionalArt Competition. She was joinedby Congressman John Yarmuth in Washington,DC for the unveiling of her winning artpiece “Time Flys”, which will be on displayat the U.S. Capitol for a full year.Savannah Miller’swinning artwork,“Time Flys”Full of energy, ideas, and a definite “can do”spirit, the Volunteers In Partnership continueto provide an invaluable service to the AHSCommunity. Since its inception in 2008,the VIP has developed a unique system toincrease awareness and involvement amongparents, alumnae, and friends of Assumptionby extending a warm welcome to new families,improving the flow of communication,and encouraging active support and volunteerism of events and activitieswhich take place throughout the year.Simply by association with Assumption, you are already a VIP – no formsto complete, no dues to pay, no meetings to attend (unless you want to)!Regardless of time or talents, the active participation of many volunteersworking in partnership with the school is essential to its overall success –particularly in the areas of hospitality and fundraising.The VIP has an operating board which consists of traditional officers,an alumnae rep, and at-large members, but it also has five classrepresentatives per grade level. This means that EVERY family has aperson with whom you can make direct contact. This volunteer is acurrent parent who serves as your representative! He/She is willing toanswer your questions (or assist in determining the answers) and connectyou where there is an interest and/or a need – and the needsare abundant!Join us on Thursday, August 25, at the annual VIP get-together inthe cafeteria during Mock Schedule Night. This will be the perfectopportunity to become familiar with the various ways in which you canoffer your time and talents, meet the VIP board, and obtain the name/contact information of your class representative.Over and over we hear a similar message: “I always thought that the highschools didn’t want parents to be so involved.” And, “I’m so glad I helpedwith ‘X’. It was fun, and I met some wonderful people.”You don’t have to wait until August to learn specifics, get involved, or askquestions – please feel free to contact me, OR you can directly access theVIP webpage where you can electronically indicate how/where you wouldlike to volunteer within the AHS community (go to www.ahsrockets.org,Parent Information, Parent Groups, Volunteers In Partnership.Thanks in advance for volunteering with us in partnership. With yourinvolvement, 2011-12 is sure to be a great year!Donna BurryDonna Burry, VIP President244-6820 / garrybu@aol.com12 Assumption Magazine Summer 2011

Abbie Mather `13 was asked to play in a tennistournament in Mobile, Alabama, in May.Only 64 of the top Southern tennis playersare accepted into the tournament. She willbe visiting colleges starting this summer andthis tournament experience will boast wellfor her applications.Congratulations to Ashley El Rady `11 onbeing named a Brown Fellow at CentreCollege. As a Brown Fellow, the student isawarded full comprehensive tuition for eachof the four years of study at Centre College.For the 2011-2012 school year the tuitionamount will be $42,500. Centre provides$25,500 of this amount and the JamesGraham Brown Foundation provides$17,000 each year.Junior Spencer Anne Kurtzahn, wasaccepted to the prestigious Crash CourseNursing Camp internship, sponsored byBaptist Memorial Hospital. She will betraveling to Union City, Tennessee to takepart in this wonderful opportunity.Assumption High School freshman KylieDanehy was accepted into the summer IraqiYoung Leaders Exchange Program. This is afour-week youth leadership exchange basedin the U.S. for Iraqi and American teenagersages 15-18 and several Iraqi adults. Theprogram aims to develop a cadre of youngadults in Iraq and the United States whohave a strong sense of civic responsibility; acommitment to community development; anawareness of current and global issues; stronginterpersonal leadership skills; willingnessto foster relationships among youth fromdifferent ethnic, religious, and national groupsin Iraq; and to promote mutual understanding,respect and collaboration between the UnitedStates and Iraq.Kelly BirchlerHovekamp `87,CurriculumIntegration SpecialistWe are pleased toannounce that ourCurriculum IntegrationSpecialist, KellyHovekamp, has beennamed a SMARTExemplary Educator.The global SMARTExemplary Educator(SEE) programrecognizes teacherswhose innovative use ofSMART products helps improve educationaloutcomes.Congratulations to Assumption HighSchool’s student newspaper, The Rosecall,for being awarded a First Place award in theScholastic Newspaper Awards, sponsored bythe American Scholastic Press Association(ASPA).Three Assumption High School freshmenwere honored at the New Albany GrandTheatre for earning the Girl Scout SilverAward. The Silver Award is the secondhighest award a Girl Scout can earn. OnlyCadette Scouts ages 11–14 or in grades 6-9can earn the award. Silver Award recipientsare Claire Bareis ’14, Taylor Fralick ’14, andJessica Thornton ’14. These students willcontinue their pursuit of the Gold Award,which they can obtain by the time theyare seniors.Stari Owens, Rebecca Louise Harpring `11 andBill YesowitchEight Metro Louisville Rotary Clubsrecognized 44 Unsung Hero Awardrecipients at a banquet attended by 500community leaders. Bill Yesowitch, Presidentof Rotary Club of Buechel/Fern Creek, joinedby Stari Owens, President-elect, awardedAssumption High School senior RebeccaHarpring as the Unsung Hero recipient. Firstrunner-up went to Assumption High Schoolsenior Stefanie Muller.Mary Byron Scholars SponsorWalk a Mile in Her Shoes ®Margaret Steurer `12, Emily Steltenpohl `11 , Catherine Palmer-Ball ‘11,Jaclyn Ochsner `12, and Kenzie Dirr `13Assumption High School students sponsored a local Walk a Mile in HerShoes® event on Sunday, March 27, 2011, from 2-4:30 p.m. at theAssumption Green. The nationally-sponsored program raises awareness andprovides prevention education about sexualized violence towards women.Students from Assumption, St. Xavier, and Trinity High Schools participated.The event was sponsored by the Mary Byron Project, Walk a Mile in HerShoes®, and Heine Brothers in partnership with St. Xavier High School,Trinity High School, and MensWork.Mary Byron Scholar students at Assumption work year-round throughthe Mary Byron Project to promote dating violence awareness, includinglobbying in Frankfort for legislative change. The group supports efforts tohelp build safer, healthier communities. Most recently, they partnered withstudents working with the Green Dot initiative to end violence one “greendot” at a time. The Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® event included all-boy andfaculty high heel relay races around the track, a local band, and speechesBoys display their high heels at the walk.about dating violence. Representatives from MensWork andthe Center for Women and Families were available to speakwith attendees.Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® was created by Frank Baird in 2001.What started out as a small group of men daring to totter arounda park has grown to become a world-wide movement with tensof thousands of men raising millions of dollars for local rape crisiscenters, domestic violence shelters, and other sexualized violenceeducation, prevention, and remediation programs.In 2007, Frank formed Venture Humanity, Inc, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation.Venture Humanity, Inc. develops peace, violence prevention, and communityprojects. Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® is a Venture Humanity, Inc. project.Assumption Magazine Summer 201113

Alumnae Class Updates200220052011Class Ambassadors: Mary Byrne, Nancy Class Ambassadors: Maureen Melchior,Buchino SchroederLana PohlCatherine McGeeney Meredith Ley recently graduated with aand her husband, Trevor master’s degree from Western KentuckyPark, are proud to annoucethe birth of their administration and has accepted an internshipUniversity in recreation and sportsfirst child, Owen Thomas as assistant facility coordinator for the WhiteMcGeeney Park, on July Building at Penn State University for the10, 2011. He weighed 5 2011-2012 academic year.pounds, 9.6 ounces andOwen Thomaswas 19 inches long.McGeeney Park20062004Class Ambassadors: Lisa Kaminski, AbigailClass Ambassadors: Christina Berry, Megan SmithHerde, Michelle JonesNicole Salman is still living in Cincinnati,Sydney Goldman and her fiance, John Peters, Ohio. She graduated from Xavier Universitymoved to Pennsylvania in November of 2010. in May 2010, with a degree in psychologyThey were married in a small ceremony in a and peace studies. She is finishing a secondlocal church in July 2011 but are coming back degree at Cincinnati State for sign languageto Louisville in November for a large ceremony interpretation, which she will completeand reception!in about eight months. Once she hascompleted that degree she will be attendingAmy Hancock asks that everyone keep her and graduate school to earn a doctorate degree inher fiance’s family in their prayers. Her fiance, psychology. In the future, she hopes to openDavid Baker, passed away unexpectedly on her own practice. She also has an amazing dogMarch 11, 2011.named Samson!Debra Cecil Rettich finally married the love Samantha Abell Wilson was married on Julyof her life in West Chester, Ohio, on April 23, 3, 2010, to her best friend of five years, Justin.2011, in a casual outdoor ceremony. This wasHe is in the United States Marine Corpsafter five years of waiting for a proposal, after and recently got accepted onto the Louisvillebuying a house, and after adopting a dog, who Metro Police Department. Samantha startedis more like a child than a pet!her career as a tax accountant at MountjoyChilton Medley, LLP in January and survivedKatie Hoover Starck and her husband, Jim, her first tax season! All that she has donewere married on September 3, 2010. They live has been possible because of God, and shein Louisville where she works as a registered wants to give Him all the praise and glory.nurse and he is a firefighter.He has made her life wonderful!Where will you be onSaturday, February 4, 2012?We invite you to mark your calendar for the31st annual Rocket Spectacular Benefit Dinner.We hope that you will join us for Assumption’sAs a guest you can escape tolargest fundraiser of the year.paradise with your family andOn this special night the community comesfriends and enjoy a gourmettogether to raise funds for school programsdinner, bid on live and silentand need-based tuition assistance.auction items and take a chanceon the $20,000 capital prizeThis year we will be celebrating by hostingdrawing, raffles,and other games of chance. “An Evening in the Tropics”.Additional details to follow at www.ahsrockets.orgcompiled by Jackie BloydClass Ambassador: To Be DeterminedMadeline ConkinAshley ElRady `11Madeline Conkinwill be a freshmanat Western KentuckyUniversity. She willalso be a Topperette,which is a member ofWKU’s dance team.Ashley El Rady willattend Centre Collegeand be a member ofCentre’s cross countryand track teams. Shewas named a BrownFellows Scholar atCentre and traveledto Italy in July withthe other BrownFellows from Centre and the University ofLouisville. Her sister, Tiffany Kalenkosky`00, gave birth to Riley Patrick on May 23,2011. She is an aunt!You’re invited tobecome an ambassador...If you are interested in becominga class ambassador, please contactCatherine McGeeney `02, directorof Alumnae Relations and the Fundfor Assumption, via email (catherine.mcgeeney@ahsrockets.org) or phone(502-271-2512).Reservations$75.00 per person/$150.00 per couple.Tables will be availablefor parties of eight or ten.Dinner catered by535 Catering

With SympathyAngela Bisig Rambo `59 on the death of her mother, Margaret D. Bisig, onMarch 22, 2011.Paulette Freeman Adams `60 on the death of her husband, Jerry EdwardAdams, on April 17, 2011.Betty Linton `60 on the death of her mother, Lucretia Athleen Cannon Linton,on March 15, 2011.Jane Ryan `60 on the death of her mother, Dorothy Gwendolyn McNeil Ryan,on January 3, 2011.Sally Weis Seitz `60 on the death of her husband, Ron Seitz, on June19, 2011.Susan Mucci White `60 on the death of her daughter, Kimberly S. Edwards,on June 25, 2011.Jane Abell Wilson `61 on the death of her husband, Frank Wilson, Sr., onJune 23, 2011.Cleo Lucas Mertz `62 on the death of her husband, Richard Dean “Pop”Mertz, on April 17, 2011.Susie Oesterritter Schneider `63 on the death of her sister and to the Class of 1961on the death of their classmate, Annie Oesterritter Kelly `61, on June 18, 2011.Jackie Finney Brandtner `67 on the death of her father, Lloyd A. Finney, onApril 20, 2011.Karen Rembold `69 on the death of her mother, Louveta B. Rembold Jenkin,on April 20, 2011.Kathy Nold Niekamp `71 on the death of her sister and to the Class of 1971on the death of their classmate, Cheryl Nold Glassner `71, on January 25,2010.Barbara Magera Sturgeon `74 on the death of her father, John J. Magera, onFebruary 19, 2011.Kathy Tucker Taylor `74 on the death of her father, Jerome L. Tucker Sr., onMay 1, 2011.Lisa Haming Heck `75 on the death of her father, Lawrence “Buddy Larry”Haming, on May 16, 2011.Cathy Baas Lee `75 and Peggy Baas `80 on the death of their mother, and CaitHerron `90 and June Herron `92 on the death of their aunt, Kay Herron Baas,on June 25, 2011.Donna Crocetti `76, Carol Crocetti Norton `71, Joanna Crocetti Hill `73, NinaCrocetti Hilbert `76, Martina Crocetti Rush `80, and Connie Crocetti `82 on thedeath of their mother, Mary Frances “Frankie” Zeller Crocetti, on May 1, 2011.Susan Peters Miller `76, Tina Peters Arnold `77, and Karen Peters Poppe `82on the death of their father, Martin Frank Peters, on March 8, 2011.Deepest sympathy is extended to the following alumnaeand their families in their time of sorrow:Karen King DeMarsh `85 on the death of her sister and to the Class of 1986on the death of their classmate, Paula Ann King `86, on April 21, 2011.Maureen O’Hern McDonald `86 on the death of her father and Jane Kruse`66 O`Hern on the death of her brother-in-law, James W. “Jim” O`Hern III, onApril 9, 2011.Paula Straub Caron `87 on the death of her father, John P. “Jack” Straub, onJune 23, 2011.Sarah Brown Kelly ’87 on the death of her father, Becky Brown Carney ’83 onthe death of her brother, and Fran Vito Brown ’62, on the death of her brotherin-law,Joe M. Brown, on March 9, 2011.Melanie Hash ’95, Jessica Hash Williams ’98, and Becca Hash ’00 on thedeath of their father, William “Bill” Hash Jr., on July 2, 2011.Erin Gillespie Schilling `95 and Sarah Gillespie Potter `97 on the death of theirmother, Elizabeth O’Connor Gillespie, on May 22, 2011.Kristen Gagle Noll `01 on the death of her mother; Linda Eskew Ising `66 andBetty Eskew Blanton `68 on the death of their sister; and to the Class of 1974on the death of their classmate, Teresa “Terri” Eskew Gagel `74, on March 28,2011.Cheyenne Bischoff Taylor `02 on the death of her infant daughter, Mary“Colette” Taylor, on February 16, 2011.Ericka Mohr `05 on the death of her father, Rick Mohr, on May 28, 2011.Claire Elliott `07 on the death of her stepfather and AHS Board member,Arthur P. Hipwell, on May 28, 2011.To AHS Board member Cathe Dykstra on the death of her mother, facultymember, Dan Dykstra, on the death of his mother-in-law, and Emma Hutchens`04 on the death of her grandmother, Mary O’Connor, on April 9, 2011.Faculty member, Bob Brown, on the death of his mother and Jo Jo Brown ’09on the death of her grandmother, Wilma Brown, on March 17, 2011.Faculty member, Denise Davis, on the death of his mother, and Teressa Davis`11 on the death of her grandmother, Joan Menard, on February 8, 2011.Faculty member, Daniel Hamm, on the death of his mother, Marilyn ChristianHamm, on May 29, 2011.Staff member, Carolyn Medley, on the death of her brother, John Lee Medley,on January 30, 2011.WeddingsFrances Bowlds Brown `77 on the death of her mother, Mary C. “Dolly”Bowlds, on February 27, 2011.Marianne Caster Miller `79 on the death of her father, Owen Kieran Caster Jr.,on June 7, 2011.Margaret Owens Payne `81 on the death of her daughter, Megan Marie Payne,on June 17, 2011.Bonnie Wetterer Gwin `78 and Linda Wetterer Gries `80 on the death of theirfather, Robert Henry Wetterer, on March 11, 2011.Mary Beth Kamer `82 on the death of her father, Raymond Kamer, on May19, 2011.Sharon Kannel `84 on the death of her sister and to the Class of 1977 on thedeath of their classmate, Donna Kannel Martin `77, who died peacefully inChapel Hill, North Carolina, on April 19, 2011, after a 14-year struggle withthe effects of a traumatic brain injury suffered in an automobile accident.Kim Stich `76 toDwaine Eshelman onApril 30, 2011, atFive Mile Chapel inCincinnati, Ohio.Samantha Abell `06 toJustin Wilson on July 3, 2010.Assumption Magazine Summer 201115

ASSUMPTION HIGH SCHOOLRECEIVES SECOND NATIONALSCHOOLS FOR TOMORROW AWARDFOR BLOOM THEATRE PROJECTAssumption High School was selected as one of 12 recipients ofthe national 2011 Catholic Schools for Tomorrow Award from Today’sCatholic Teacher. The award is in specific recognition of Assumption’sBLOOM Theatre Project. This is the second time Assumption has beenrecognized with this national award – the first was in 2009 for theMission Week program.The award, sponsored by Today’s Catholic Teacher magazine, honorsCatholic schools that have led the way by implementing exemplaryinnovative programs to improve the teaching and learning of theirstudents, faculty, and staffs. Awards are offered in various categories.Assumption was recognized in the area of innovation in total communityinvolvement.The BLOOM Theatre Project (standing for Bring Life Onstage/Offstagefor Ministry) was begun as an annual social justice theatre projectproduced by the school’s Rose Theatre Company in conjunction withthe annual Mission Week activities. The inaugural project addressedthe theme of poverty through a one-act play written and produced byAssumption students, faculty, staff, alumnae, and community members.Community theater professionals volunteered to help through scriptwritingworkshops, directing, and set and costume design. Students in themusic program composed original music, and art exhibits created by thevisual arts program were also part of the performance. The 2011 projectfocused on women’s issues and incorporated the added component ofstudent video.As a recipient of the Catholic Schools for Tomorrow Award, Assumptionwas featured in a special section in the March 2011 issue of Today’sCatholic Teacher, school representatives were honored at a presentationbanquet during the 2011 NCEA Convention in New Orleans in April, andthe school was presented with a large banner to display on campus.Keep the Dreams of Mercy Alive – Keep the Faith We CherishThen …Come Back to Catherine is a weeklong retreat at the MercyInternational Centre in Dublin, Ireland, that I was privileged to attendin June. Twelve participants from South Africa, Australia, Kenya, Irelandand the U.S. spent our days walking in the footsteps of CatherineMcAuley. We visited the home where she was born into a wealthyfamily, the home where she lived with her mother and two siblings afterthe death of her father and their subsequent financial ruin, the homewhere she lived as an orphan after the death of her mother, and thehome where she spent most of her life with the couple who took her inas a young adult and left her their considerable estate. And, of course,we stayed in the house of mercy which she gave her fortune to buildto educate young women. The story is familiar to all of us connectedto Mercy education, but the experience of being in those places isprofound. Who was this woman who endured so many setbacks butremained firm in her trust in God? Who was this woman who throughall the ups and downs of her life radiated the glory of God? Who wasthis woman who seamlessly integrated contemplation and action,whose lifelong journey was getting to know God?The last weekend I was in Dublin, we attended the Pro-Cathedralfor the Pentecost vigil Mass. The Archbishop of Dublin presided at aMass that included all the religious groups in Ireland at this time. Theentrance procession was a collage of colors—the red vestments of16 Assumption Magazine Summer 2011Gloria Thornburg, Campus Ministerthe Catholic priests, the white embroidered vestments of the Hindupriests, the black of the Jewish rabbi, the sparkling umbrellas of theChinese culture. All the readings and all the music were done in nativelanguages, the offertory procession included gifts of vibrant flowersand baskets of fresh fruit for the Hindu/Buddhist altars brought up byHindu liturgical dancers, as well as the traditional bread and wine. Theentire Mass was a festival of sensual appeal—incense, dancers, singers,visual art, everything depicting the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The living,vibrant unity in that church made world peace real, made the table ofGod inclusive, made the presence of God sacramental; the soul of theimages touched the souls of the people. It was a fitting tribute to a cityand country Catherine McAuley loved.Now…The 2011-2012 school year lies before us with all the ups and downsof every year, asking us to keep the dreams of Mercy alive, to keep thefaith we cherish, to believe that, in the words of Catherine McAuley,“Now it is that you must prove your love and gratitude by going handin hand with your Divine Redeemer, nothing to interest you but whatrelates to His greater glory. May He grant you every grace and blessing,and make you one of His dearest and best beloved.” Amen.

Alumnae Association Fall EventsBring your little ghoul, goblin, or princess toFREEFAMILY HALLOWEEN NIGHT AT ASSUMPTIONTrick or treating!...Face painting!...Cookie decorating!...Games!Wednesday, October 26, 20115:00 – 7:00 p.m.To RSVP, email the AHS Alumnae Association at AHS.AlumAssn@rocketmail.comor call the Advancement Office at 502-458-6258.Sponsored by the Assumption High School Alumnae AssociationAssumption Magazine Summer 201117

ASSUMPTIONMagazineNon-Profit Org.U.S. PostagePAIDLebanon Junction, KYPermit #733Assumption High School2170 Tyler LaneLouisville, KY 40205Address Service RequestedAssumption High School is a nationally recognized School of Excellence sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy.Join UsforAssumption Reunion Weekendon September 23 and 24!Reunion Weekend Open House:Friday, September 23, 20116:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. in the AHS Gym(Convocation & Athletic Center)Reunion classes are invited back to AHS to enjoy heavy appetizers,drinks, and tours of the school from current students. Former teacherswill be present, and each class will have a designated area with memorabilia(including yearbooks).At 7:30, there will be a presentation dedicated to the reunion classes,and class photos will be taken at designated times. This event is foralumnae only and is free of charge.Class Photo Schedule for Friday Evening, 9/23:6:45: Class of ‘617:00: Class of ‘667:15: Class of ‘71(The Alumnae Office’spresentation is at 7:30)8:00: Class of ‘768:15: Class of ‘818:30: Class of ‘868:45: Class of ‘919:00: Class of ‘969:15: Class of ‘019:30: Class of ‘06Reunion Weekend Mass:Saturday, September 24, 201111:15 a.m. in the AHS Gym(Convocation & Athletic Center)All are invited to celebrate Mass as a communityin honor of all reunion classes,especially the Class of 1961,celebrating 50 years.Archbishop Kurtz will be presiding.Alumnae and family members are welcome.Please RSVP by calling theAlumnae Office at(502) 458-6258Most classes are also hosting individual class reunions. For up-to-date details on those class reunions, go to www.ahsrockets.org, hover over“Alumnae,” and click “Reunion Information” from the menu that appears.Congratulations, AHS alumnae! See you in September!