 Dear Friends,,
Gross Catholic High School is a school in the Marianist tradition. Members of schools in the Mariniast tradition strive to practice the virtues of Jesus and Mary so that they might educate as would Jesus and Mary. The first Marianists frequently repeated, "We teach in order to educate." For them, teaching led to education and developed skills and imparted knowledge. Though necessary, teaching is not sufficient. Marianist education cultivates habits of mind, heart and spirit -- all informed, animated, and permeated by the Christian spirit. A school in the Marianist tradition provides the environment where the whole person is developed -- the physical, mental, spiritual, and moral dimensions -- in an integrated way. |
 Gold Cup Early Bird Drawing for $1,000
March 19 at 6:00 pm |
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The Gross Catholic speech team was very successful at the 2008 River Cities Conference held in Beatrice on Feb. 16. Five Cougar speakers earned a fourth place finish at the conference meet.
Congratulations to . . .
Anna Shymanski '10 for her championship in Persuasive Speaking and her fifth place finish in Informative Speaking.
Jenny Totusek '10 took third place overall in Informative Speaking.
Alex Berringer '10 earned sixth place overall in Interpretation of Poetry.
Alex Berringer '10, and Annie Pigaga '10 secured championship honors in Duet Acting .
Alex Berringer '10, and Annie Pigaga '10 also placed at the District meet on March 4, earning sixth place honors in Duet Acting.
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Congratulations to the Cougar Band for receiving the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association's Excellence in Academic Achievement Award. This award is given to school bands with GPA of 3.5 or higher. The band will receive their award at the NSBA Convention on February 29 in Lincoln.
Congratulations to . . .
the Cougar Band students who participated in the 2008 Elkhorn Band Olympics:
John Hotovy '10 - Gold Medal & Superior Rating Snare Drum Solo
Joseph Reiter '10 - Superior Rating Flute Solo
Jamie Gehringer '10 - Excellent Rating Multiple Percussion Solo
Tim Brown '10 - Excellent Rating Snare Drum Solo
Clara Kolbo '11 - Excellent Rating Trumpet Solo |
Tyrell Galloway '11 took the state championship at 119 pounds, the only freshmen at the tournament to win a state title! Nick Sears '09 at 152 pounds finished second place and Skylar Galloway '10 finished fourth place at 125 pounds. Tracy Mixan '11 went 1-2 in his first state appearance. The team finished with a ninth place ranking in State. |
Dance Team News 
Congratulations to the Varsity Dance Team for their fantastic showing at the State Dance & Cheer Competition held at the Heartland Center in Grand Island on February 23. The Cougar Dance Team is the 2007-2008 State Runners-up in the Class B Hip Hop Division and placed third in both the Class B Pom Division and the A/B High Kick Division!
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 Yearbook OrdersPreserve those priceless memories! Yearbooks are on sale for a base price of $75. You may purchase online or complete an order form and return it to the Journalism Department. Please make checks payable to Gross Catholic.
Senior Ads
There is still time to honor your graduating son or daughter with a senior ad in the 2007-2008 yearbook.
For more information or order forms for yearbooks or senior ads, email Dale Schwalm, journalism adviser. |
The Gross Catholic Swim Team qualified two swimmers for the 2008 State Swim Meet. Kelly Lane '08 finished in ninth place in the 200 Yard Medley Relay. While both Kelly Lane and Sarah Kirkland '08 finished eighth in the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay. The team finished fourteenth overall at the State Swim Meet. |
- Students & parents will now receive emails regarding Guidance office information. You must have an active Edline account to receive college, scholarship & career planning information. Contact Jim Homan if you have questions about your Edline account.
- June ACT registration deadline is May 9 for June 14 test.
- College-bound juniors should register for our ACT prep class. This quarter-long class provides valuable tips and practice to help students achieve their best score on this important test. See page 32 in our Curriculum Guide for more information.
- Advanced Placement exams will be administered during the first two weeks of May. Registration will begin March 3. The $84 fee for each test a student plans to take is due by March 28. Fee reductions are available for students with financial need. Contact counselor Gary Hargis for more information.
- Juniors & Seniors may take career-related courses in the fields of Automotive, Construction, Precision Machining, Welding, Electrical, Early Childhood Education, Certified Nursing, EMT, Plumbing, and Medical Office Technology at Metropolitan Community College's Technical Academy. See page 33 in our Curriculum Guide for more information.
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Class Baskets for CeleBration Night at the Oasis Auction on April 26
Each year our students are asked to put together four baskets for the CeleBration auction. This is a great way for our students to be involved in the event. Turn in your donated items to the school office.
Freshman Basket - Family Fun Night - Bring in fun items for a family night. Family board games, card games, family movies, snacks, pizza gift certificates, take-out gift certificates, miniature golf gift certificates, etc.
Sophomore Basket - Pre-School Basket - Bring in all the little treasures that every pre-schooler needs as they prepare to join the Cougar Family! Markers, colors, color books, stickers, pencils, paints, paper, construction paper, tape, scissors, glitter pens, stencils, rulers, glue, hole punchers, etc.
Junior Basket -Young Readers Basket!! Bring in a bedtime story book to fill this basket with children's books. Buy a NEW book and write a personal message to the lucky little boy or girl who gets to begin a lifetime of reading enjoyment!!
Senior Basket - Movie Night! Bring in movie passes, video store gift certificates, family DVDs, movie soundtracks, movie candy and snacks!
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 Journalism Awards
Tim Konold '08 - column writing, honorable mention; editorial cartooning, honorable mention; newspaper, layout superior
Shane Bystrom '08 - column writing, honorable mention; headline writing, excellent; news feature writing, honorable mention; news feature writing, honorable mention; newspaper layout, honorable mention; action photography, superior
Andrew Janak '08 - editorial writing, excellent; news writing, honorable mention; sports writing, excellent
Anna Shymanski '10 - editorial writing, honorable mention
Tess Houser '08 - graphic design, excellent
John Weiss '08 - action photography, excellent; yearbook layout, excellent
Sam Zeitner '10 - yearbook layout, superior
Chris Dorwart '09 - yearbook layout, superior; theme development, honorable mention
Peggy Novotny '09 - theme development, honorable mention Cassie Carney '09 - theme development, honorable mention
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Congratulations to the Gross Catholic Culinary Team!
The Gross Catholic Culinary team were awarded a bronze medal for the presentation and taste of their meal at the Culinary Invitational held at Metro Community College on Feb. 29 - Mar. 1. The students participated in the Knowledge Bowl and Culinary Competition, where they served a three course meal in 60 minutes. The team competed against 20 Metro area teams and were the only private school represented.
The team was also earned the Most Professional Team Award and each member received a $500 scholarship. Team members are Melissa Kinsella '10, Francie Sampugnaro '09, Connor Mally '09, and Linda Nong '08. The team is coached by Chef John Schow and faculty member Liz Schow. |
 Freestyle & Greco-Roman Wrestling Practice
Sundays, Tuesdays & Thursdays
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Monday & Wednesdays
6:00 - 8:00 pm
This workout is for anyone who wants to get in shape or planning on joining the Cougar wrestling team in 2008-2009. Contact Coach Johnny Galloway or call 301-5575 for more information. |
Catholic School Symposium
March 13 -- 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Ss. Peter & Paul Cafeteria
The Deanery Level Discussions for the Catholic Schools Symposium for the Urban South Deanery will be held on March 13. Those who participated in the local parish/school focus groups are invited as well as any others who are interested in the future of our Catholic Schools.
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 Dance Team Auditions
March 14 Girls going into 9th-12th grade are invited to audition for the award-winning Cougar Dance Team for the 2008-2009 school year. Audition clinics will be held March 10-13 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm in the east Commons. Contact Denise Gehringer for more information. |
 Band & Choir in St. Patrick's Day Parade
Saturday, March 15
10:00 am
The Cougar Band and Choir will be participating in the St. Patrick's Day Parade through the Old Market in Downtown Omaha. We hope to see you along the parade route! |
Driver Education Classes
March 17 - April 10
The next session of Driver Education will begin on Monday, March 17 and will continue for four weeks on Monday and Wednesday from 3:05 - 5:35 pm. The cost is $255 for Gross Catholic students. A $50 deposit is required to hold your spot in this class. Registration forms are available on the office counter. |
 College & Career Night for Juniors & Parents
March 19 -- 5:30 pmThe Guidance Office will be hosting this informational meeting for juniors and their parents to learn more about the college application process, financial aid, scholarship opportunies, and the career planning services available. Contact Jim McClure, college counselor, or Mike Dempsey, career counselor, for more information. |
Cheer Squad Tryouts
March 20 -- 12:00 pm
Girls entering 9th, 10th, 11th & 12th grades are invited to tryout for the 2008-2009 Cheer Squads. Tryout practice will be held March 17-19 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.
Please email coach Kris Dostal or call 321-0471 for more information. |
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Children of Eden is a musical loosely based on the Book of Genesis, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, acclaimed composer/lyricist of Godspell and Wicked. Children of Eden is a complex, but family-friendly show, that looks at humanity's First Family: Adam, Eve, and their Father, and the intergenerational conflicts and their generational legacies.
Performances:
Thursday, March 27 7:00 pm
Friday, March 28 7:00 pm
Saturday, March 29 7:00 pm
Sunday, March 30 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Admission: Adults $6.00; Gross Catholic Students $5.00; Under 12 $3.00; Children Under 3 Free
For more information email Gross Catholic Drama Director Jeff Nelson at 734-2000 ext. 327 |
All members and donors of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Memorial Association are invited to attend this special Mass and reception. The Cougar Family continues to especially remember all enrolled members and donors in prayer each day. If you wish to enroll someone in the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Memorial Association, please email the Development Office or call Lori at 734-2000. This fund supports the many programs of Gross Catholic High School. |
Gross Catholic Prom
April 4 -- 8:30 to 11:30 pm
Coronation 8:40 pm
Scoular Building - 20th & Dodge
All Gross Catholic juniors and seniors are invited to attend Prom. Tickets are $25 and will be on sale March 28 - April 3. Tickets are not available at the door. Guests from other schools must turn in a guest permission form to Mr. Kerkman by noon on April 3.
Post Prom
April 4 -- 11:30 pm to 4:00 am
Dave & Busters - 132nd & Center All Gross Catholic juniors and seniors are invited to the post-prom party. Ticket price includes admission to Dave & Busters, $60 game card, food, beverages, karaoke, Rock Band, Deal or No Deal, Texas Hold 'Em, and more! Prizes for all, including gift cards, luggage, and electronics! Come join the fun!
Ticket Price: $7 -- on sale during lunch
Last day to purchase post prom tickets is Friday, March 28. | |
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| Dux Esto . . .
Be A Leader! |
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Annual Fund Gifts and Pledges $165,287! |
| Thank you to all who have contributed to this year's Annual Fund Leadership Appeal. Tuition only covers 75% of our operating costs and the Annual Fund ensures that Gross Catholic continues to provide strong Marianist-guided programs. We ask all Cougar families to make a gift to the Annual Fund! Your gift is tax-deductible and can be made in monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual gifts. Contact Lynn Poly, Director of Development to make your gift today. You can also make your gift securely online here! |
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CeleBration 24
Saturday, April 26, 2008 |
| Our annual dinner/auction will be chaired by current parents Tim & Terri Burke, Bill & Cynthia Buettner, and Mike & Valerie Conzett. We need your help to reach our goal of $220,000, supporting the students and programs of Gross Catholic. Purchase your tickets to attend CeleBration online.
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Win a 2008 Dodge Charger or $15,000 Cash! |
| One lucky winner will walk away with a new car or a nice check at CeleBration 24! Buy your raffle tickets today from your favorite Gross Catholic student.
Each Cougar family is required to sell four books of raffle tickets to support Gross Catholic.
The two top-selling homerooms will enjoy a trip to Worlds of Fun. Other prizes include a VIP lunch, movie passes, or breakfast.
Turn in four books of raffle tickets by March 28 and your homeroom will have a chance to win a VIP lunch served by the Gross Catholic administration! |
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Upcoming Events |
March 12
Lenten Penance Service
March 13
Bloodmobile at Gross
March 20 - 25
Easter Vacation
Memorial Mass & Reception at 9 am
April 4
Prom & Post Prom
Sports & Activities
March 14
Spring Pep Rally at 2:20 pm
March 17 - 20
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Important Information for Seniors
We're Here to Help You!
Counselors are visiting with Seniors who are undecided about their plans after graduation. Please remember we are here to help seniors with their career and/or school planning process.
Tell us about your Scholarships!
Please inform Mr. McClure or Mrs. Hazuka about all scholarships you receive, even those you do not plan to accept. Bring your award letters to the the Guidance Center so your achievements can be included in the Recognition Day program and in area newspapers. Written confirmation of all scholarships is required. Congratuations on your success!
Important Graduation Dates for Seniors |
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March 18 - Graduation announcements delivered during lunch
April 2 - UNL/UNK math placement test for incoming college freshmen at Gross Catholic
April 28 - Caps & gowns delivered during Recognition Day practice
April 29 - Recognition Day Ceremony 9:00 am
May 7-9 - Senior Exams
May 16 - Class of 2007 Baccalaureate Mass at the Cathedral
May 19 - Commencement Rehearsal at Orpheum 10:30 am
May 19 - Class of 2007 Commencement at Orpheum 7:00 pm |
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Forward this newsletter to other current Cougar Families or prospective families! |
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Prayer for Thanksgiving for Blessed William Joseph Chaminade |
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Lord Jesus, thank your for the gift of William Joseph Chaminade to the Church. Thank you, because through him you gave us the Marianist Family, source of life and enthusiasm, a place of freedom, mercy and creativity. Thank you, because through him you called us to live by faith, in missionary alliance with Mary. Thank you, because in him you invite us to be a community growing in faith, sharing life, and committed to the mission. Thank you, because by recognizing his holiness, you gave us the possibility of live to the fullest a new time, full of brilliance and audacity of the Spirit for making the Gospel present. Thank you, Lord, for Blessed William Joseph Chaminade. | | |
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Speech Team
Congratulations to 
Congratulations to 
Guidance Department
Gross Catholic 
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Memorial