Connecting the Dots with Shawn Young
When starting to plan reunions, I never really know what kind of stories the classes are going to tell. Usually they like to talk about two things. They either like to tell about all of the things they got in trouble for, or better yet, all of the things they think they got away with!  But this year's reunions produced a story worth sharing with all of the alumni.  It all started when I got a call from Patty Benigni Dold '71.  She wanted to get have a planning meeting with me and some of members of the Class of 1971. She called for the first meeting, and we all met up at Anderson Pub and Grill. I came to find out that this was Patty's favorite place (Her son Joe is the managing partner). After getting her reunion up and running, Patty let me know that this was a very big year for her family. All of her sisters were celebrating reunions this year. The Class of 1971 was first.  They had a party in the McNicholas Library back in mid-September. They wanted to be out in the courtyard, but the heat and chance of rain moved the event into the library. Judy Benigni Wolter, and Janet Benigni Roedel are both members of the Class of 1966.  They celebrated their 50th class reunion this past week.  The class met in the courtyard on Friday night, and then went down to Belterra Casino the following night.  That same weekend, the Class of 1976 hosted a tailgate and cookout here at McNicholas. Mary Beth Benigni Dailey is a member of that class.  
 
As we carried on the conversation, an even more unique fact surfaced about the Benigni family.  The grandfather of the girls, Martino Benigni lived in the cottage behind the Rockethouse, now the home to some of the Sisters of St. Joseph.  At the time, he worked for the sisters.  Well it just so happens that on May 26, 1924, Martino and Ellen Benigni had a son. The nuns suggested their house was larger than the cottage and said the child should be born in the convent.  So the father of the Benigni girls was born in the convent house. To this day, Joseph is grateful to the sisters, and he is also grateful that he was born in the St. Joseph Academy and could keep the St. Joseph's name. The extended family stayed close with the sisters over the years.  Patty said it was the family tradition that on Thanksgiving they would all meet over at her aunt's house, Bertha Benigni Galvin. She would host the entire extended family, and an invitation was always extended to the sisters.  Patty remembers as a child playing bingo with the Sisters of St. Joseph.  Now that is connecting some dots!

Dr. Greg Wilson '01 on Campus

McNicholas High School inducted 18 new members into its chapter of the Science National Honor Society (SNHS) on Thurs., Sept. 22.  This induction marks the thirteenth class to be inducted into the chapter and featured remarks from McNicholas alumnus Dr. Greg Wilson '01, head surgical resident at University Hospital.
After individual introductions of the science scholars, Dr. Wilson spoke to the seniors and their families about the importance of hard work, mentors, and staying connected.
"You will have hurdles, things will not always go as you have planned," he said.  "You must concentrate on working harder and harder and keep the doors open. Make the best of any situation and work to the highest standards possible." Dr. Wilson, who went to the University of Dayton for his undergraduate degree and the University of Louisville for medical school, will go to Pittsburgh for a surgical oncology fellowship upon completion of his residency here in Cincinnati.
to read more click here
Events in the news at McNicholas High School

To learn more about what has been happening on campus this past month, click on any of the stories listed below.

Appalachia retreat continues legacy of service and learning


A Message from the Development Office

To All of our great McNicholas Alumni
As we progress into this new school year, I want to just take a minute and thank all of you for helping to make this past school year a very successful one for us. Last year, over 500 of you joined us for your class reunions, and it was terrific for our whole community to see you reengaged and back on campus. I also want to thank you for making a difference with the Alumni Scholarship Fund. Almost 200 alumni contributed to that fund last school year. Because of that great support, this past August, a young freshman who is the daughter of a McNicholas alumni has received a $1,300 scholarship, which is renewable for all four years at McNicholas. Each year we plan on adding an additional winning student who is the son or daughter, or grandson, or granddaughter of a McNicholas alumni. Many times these Alumni Scholarships will be the differences as to whether or not the student is able to attend McNicholas, so you truly are making a difference in the life of a young Rocket.
We have been told by many of you that you enjoy the Alumni Newsletter. Be assured that Shawn Young and I are committed to enhancing the newsletter as well as trying to utilize new ways to keep you up to date on McNicholas. Please do not be strangers. If you are in the area, stop by McNick and come see Shawn and me. We are just inside the Convent doors. We would love to see you.

Donation totals to the alumni scholarship fund this year, by class:
'56 - $1,630
'71 - $1,915
'86 - $550 
'61 - $1,245
'76 - $1,175
'01 - $125
'66 - $4,685 
'81- $450

'06 - $275

This gives us a total of $11,825 for the year.  Thank you very much!

Mark Doran
Director of Development

Polly Sandmann Scholarship to be launched Oct. 20

Friends and family of Polly Powers Sandmann '79 invite you to a special reception on Thurs., October 20 in the courtyard from 7-9 p.m. to help launch a scholarship in Polly's name. The Polly Sandmann Scholarship is being created to financially support students who are eligible for the SAIL program in memory of Polly's love for young people and her lifelong interest and commitment to educating them. Please contact Mark Doran if you would like to attend or have any questions.


Help us to honor our veterans


The McNicholas Military Memorial Committee would like to invite you to join us for the fifth annual Veterans Day breakfast.  This event will take place on Friday, November 11. The breakfast will be in the Caf� and Student Union.  To set aside parking spaces, please RSVP Shawn Young by November 8.

If you would be interested in joining our Military Committee, please contact Jim Hay at 513-236-7609 or [email protected].  The committee does a lot of great work here at McNicholas.  They host the breakfast on Veterans Day, organize a ceremony at McNicholas  on Memorial Day, and host a dance in February. The dance helps raise funds for the upkeep of our military memorial and to raise funds for scholarships for deserving students. Five scholarships were offered last year at $1500 each. We would love to see you at the dance this year! More details will be coming as we get closer.

Military Memorial Scholarship
 
Criteria:
  • Demonstrate leadership, commitment to academics and can demonstrate a sincere sense of patriotism through an essay, which is part of the application process
  • Candidates who are part of a military family will be given special consideration
  • Include one teacher recommendation
  • Financial need is another criterion. If financial need is part of your application, please complete the PSAS by the set deadline.
  • Click here to apply.
McNicholas Military List

Over the past couple of years we have been able to grow our military list to over 280 people who decided to serve our country. To check on our McNicholas Military list, or to see if we need to add someone to the list please click here . If you find we are missing someone, please email Shawn Young.


12th Annual Nick Erdy Foundation Dinner, Dance and Action

Nick Erdy
The Twelfth Annual Nick Erdy Foundation Dinner, Dance, and Auction will be held Saturday November 19, at Norlyn Manor, 4440 St. Route 132 in Batavia. Doors open at 5:30 pm, and the dress is casual evening attire.  The event will include an open bar, a silent auction, and dinner provided by Texas Roadhouse. The evening will also feature a DJ and dancing and a split-the-pot raffle. The cost is $60 per person before Nov. 1, $75 per person after Nov. 1. For information contact Jane Erdy at 513-200-5797 or visit www.nickerdyfoundation.org. Last year, the Nick Erdy Foundation awarded $4,300 to benefit three McNicholas students. The school is grateful for the Foundation's generosity in helping our students and hopes parents and alumni continue to support the Erdy's work.
 
Nick Erdy was a 2002 graduate of McNicholas High School. Immediately after graduating, Nick fulfilled his life-long dream of becoming a Marine. When his unit was deployed to Iraq, it was part of Operation Matador on the Iraqi-Syrian border. In May, 2005, his armored assault vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device; Nick and five of his fellow Marines were killed. Nick was posthumously awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, the Purple Heart, the Marine Corps Reserve Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Medal.

Mens Golf and Womens Soccer are having a great fall



The mens varsity golf team is heading back to familiar territory.  Starting the weekend of Oct. 14 and 15, the team will begin play in the state golf tournament. Last year, they were third in the state in Division II.  The team is anchored by three players who have been four year varsity starters.  They are Ty DeBonis, Chris Dunne, and Zane Brownrigg.  Led by these three golfers, the team has put up some incredible numbers.  They have a 10 and 2 record this year.  They have been King of the Hill Champs and Sectional champions all four years.  For the last three years, they have been league champs and district champions.  These three students joined by Cameron Massa and Alex Burch hope to do great things in Columbus.

The women of McNicholas soccer are dominating the field again this year.  They finished the regular season at  12-1-3.At one point they rattled off 11 wins in a row. They have scored 40 goals and have only allowed 14 all season.  The leading scorer is Sophie Gorman with 16 goals. They are 5 and 0 in their division.  They are currently ranked number 1 in the city for division II with 12 out of the 14 votes. and they are number 1 in the state for division II. They will start sectional play on Saturday, October 22 here at Penn Station Stadium at 5 pm.

Boosters team up with EBTH for fundraiser

The Athletic Boosters are partnering with Everything But The House (EBTH) to put a new spin on our traditional fundraiser by auctioning items donated by you! The Boosters are looking for donations of items valued over $150 including china, crystal, rare collectibles, furniture, designer handbags, rugs, jewelry, coins, tools, musical instruments, antiques, cars, and more. Drop-off days are October 29 and 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at McNicholas High School.


Boosters held successful golf outing in September


A big THANK YOU to the 23 foursomes who came out for this year's golf outing at Legendary Run. If you have never played, you should consider coming out next year. You will see plenty of old friends and have a great time.  The golf outing is held the Friday of Homecoming weekend. Congrats to  Gary Gatio '77, Pat Stricker '85, Tim McLaughlin '85, and Andy Ey '98.  A great Rocket team! 

Alumni Updates

Any news?
Do you have news to share? Let us know what you've been doing since graduation! Update your information by completing our alumni update form  on the McNicholas webpage or call the Alumni Office at 513.231.3500. ext. 5850.

Deanna (Dee) Campbell '55 and Bob Zurenko will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on September 29.

Tim Reed '55 is retired an he has been a volunteer for the past two years at the West Chester U.C. hospital. He preps the rooms for incoming surgery patients after their surgery and covers the 36 rooms on the surgery floor checking patients needs such as ice water, newspaper, warm blankets, etc.

James Herweh '60 retired from Whirlpool Corp., Evansville In. in 2007. Since then he has been very active in the Knights of Columbus, served as Grand Knight in Msgr. Gerdes Council and currently as Faithful Navigator in the Bishop Leibold Assembly.

John Schuler '71 After receiving a Certificate in Lay Pastoral Ministry and three years of formation at the Athenaeum of Ohio, he was ordained Deacon on April 30, 2016.

In Memoriam

This list is generated from local obituaries and information received from the family and friends of our alumni and current students. Please contact the alumni office if there is incorrect or missing information. 

Alumni

Patrick J. Swift '55; Brother of Tim Reed '55.

Patrick J. McCabe '63; Brother of Mary Kathleen McCabe Lutterbach  '59, Michael '61, Daniel '66, Terrence (attended), and Timothy (attended). 

Sherry Marthaler Hicks '67; Wife of Dan '67, and sister of Bruce '69.

Mary Sutthoff McLeod '69; Sister of Patty Marthaler Gilb '71.

Jack B. Previty '73.

Pete L. Bell '78; Father of Trey '13.

Jeffrey A. Barger '80; Brother of Dennis '76, Douglas '78, Matthew '79, Kathleen '84, and Kristen '89.


Distinguished Family and Friends

Rita M. Ecker; Mother of Steven '73, Robert '76, Karen Ecker Leisgang '76, Arthur (attended), Matthew '89, and Tony '90.

Joan K. Fussner; Wife of (the late) Richard '56.

Frank F. Kappel; Father of Andrew '86. 

Paul B. Karl; Husband of Eileen Dannenfelser Karl '57, Father of David '80, Chris '82, Phillip '83, and Robert '84.

Adele L. Salerno; Wife of Thomas.

Irmgard Zerhusen; Mother of Rita '67, Patricia '72, and (the late) Judith '69.


Quick Links for Alumni