  Traveling Irish Dinners Next Saturday
ANN ARBOR & EAST LANSING!
Join the alumni association for FREE PIZZA at our Traveling Irish Dinners in the towns of the Wolverines and Spartans! Come on out and bring your alumni friends. Traveling Irish Dinners are a great way to catch up with alumni in your area, and are always a lot of fun too!
Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.
The Brown Jug, Ann Arbor
Harper's Restaurant, East Lansing
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Big Band Dinner Dance at Lafayette Grande - May 17
Featuring performances from NDP jazz band alums
The Notre Dame Preparatory Jazz Band Ensemble and its alums will present the 13th annual Big Band Dinner Dance on Friday, May 17, at the historic Lafayette Grande in Pontiac. The evening will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will include a buffet dinner, live music and dancing. A cash bar is available.
Join us for a fabulous night out and bring your dancing shoes! Tickets are $30 per person. Order tickets by May 3, 2013. Download Reservation Form
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Notre Dame Golf Outing at Wyndgate
 Alumni and friends are invited to join us for Notre Dame's annual golf outing on Monday, June 3, 2013, 1:00 p.m. start. This year's golf outing will be held at the Wyndgate Country Club's private course in Rochester Hills, Mich.
In addition to players for the golf outing, the Parents Club is looking for help in the following areas to make the event successful: lunch, dinner or beverage cart sponsorships; hole sponsorships; and donations of items to the silent auction or raffle. If you are interested in participating, please contact Rick Sutkiewicz at 248.207.9788.
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NDP alum in the Air Force Academy meets with U.S. senator
Ruairi McGreevy '12 (NDP)
Ruairi McGreevy, a 2012 graduate of Notre Dame Prep and a cadet in the U.S. Air Force Academy, met U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan on March 27 at an event in Southfield. McGreevy was appointed to the academy a year ago and is well into his freshman year at the Colorado Springs-based military service school. Stabenow was instrumental in the nominating process last year that earned McGreevy his appointment. At a recent Recognition Day Celebration held March 9 at the Air Force Academy, McGreevy received his "wing and prop," which recognizes him for outstanding work during the past 10 months. He now is no longer considered a "doolie" at the academy and has officially moved up in rank as a full member of the USAFA. Notre Dame Prep graduate and Air Force cadet Ruairi McGreevy ('12)
with U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. Only 1,200 of approximately
12,000 applicants make it into the U.S. Air Force Academy each year.
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Alum and future MD goes on medical mission to Honduras
Grace Wood '10 (NDP)
In an article excerpted from the latest Blarney Stone, 2010 Notre Dame Prep graduate Grace Wood talks about her recent trip to Honduras as part of a medical mission with the group Global Brigades.  Wood said, "We took with us to distribute to the patients any medication you could think of-from ibuprofen to Benadryl, hydrocortisone cream and vitamins to anti-parasite medicine," Wood said. "Every day we would be assigned to a different area. The people would already be lined up waiting for us when we got there, sometimes with long lines wrapping around buildings. They would tell us their stories and some of them walked for two hours in 100-degree weather just to wait for a few more hours to see us." Full Story
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ND alum pens book, "Detroit City is the Place to Be"
Mark Binelli '88 (NDHS)
 The spring-2013 edition of IRISH, Notre Dame's alumni magazine, was just published. The cover story features a 1988 grad who is making a big name for himself as an author and journalist. Mark Binelli has written two books in his still-young career, the latest being "Detroit City Is the Place to Be: The Afterlife of an American Metropolis," which is earning critical praise worldwide.
Find out here what makes him tick and how Notre Dame figured into his professional life.
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Cream of the crop. Alumna owns pastry shop in Royal Oak
Brooke Wilson '05 (NDP)
Brooke Wilson ('05) owns Love & Buttercream, a Royal Oak-based pastry shop that uses fresh local ingredients and bakes everything from scratch.
Formally schooled at Michigan  State University, where she studied marketing and business, and the prestigious French Pastry School in Chicago, Wilson has always been comfortable in a kitchen. "I baked in my grandmother's kitchen, my mother's kitchen, my college kitchen and eventually my own kitchen before finally deciding that it was a career path for me."
Read about how Wilson's love of baking along with her expertise in marketing produced one of metro Detroit's most unique bakeries.
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Alumna is a sports journalism intern, student at MSU
Sarah Dulapa '09 (NDP)
Sarah Dulapa is a senior at Michigan State University majoring in English and currently serving as a sports journalism intern for HerGameLife. Growing up playing sports, she has a passion for athletics and possesses a strong knowledge of teams, players and leagues of various sports around the country. Sarah, an avid Spartan Nation and Detroit sports fan, believes more women should consume a little ESPN. Ms. Dulapa has been talking sports her entire life, and doesn't plan on stopping! (Source: onhergame.com)
Sarah's article, "On the Prowl: Lions Gain Reggie Bush, Among Others" was published in March on onhergame.com. Read Sarah's article here.
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Three Marist priests retiring from Madonna University
Fr. Ron DesRosiers, Fr. John Sajdak, Fr. Frank Grispino
In an announcement made on April 2 by the Marist Provincial, Fr. Ted Keating, s.m., Fr. Ron DesRosiers, Fr. John Sajdak and Fr. Frank Grispino will be leaving Madonna University at the end of this school year. The three priests are all professors in Madonna's religious studies and philosophy departments.
The provincial announcement read, "After so many years of excellent and devoted service, our three Marists will be leaving Madonna University at the end of this semester. Ron DesRosiers will be moving to the community at St. Louis King of France in Senior status. John Sajdak will be moving to the community in Brooklyn pending possible assignment there. Frank Grispino will be moving to the community at the Lourdes Center in Senior status."
The Madonna Herald pays tribute to the three Marists, who formerly served at Notre Dame High School. Read article here.
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Irish Week 2013 wraps up, seniors win Irish Games
 In March, Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy students of all grades participated in "Irish Week," the school's week-long celebration of its heritage and nickname. The week culminated with the Irish Games, which pit class against class in a series of games ranging from Balloon Stomp to Plunger Relay.
The senior class (Class of 2013) earned the highest score of the high school games, followed by the freshmen, juniors and sophomores. In Notre Dame's middle division, the 8th-grade class earned the games' highest score.
The Irish Week tradition began in the early 80s at Notre Dame High School in Harper Woods, which was managed by the Marist Fathers and Brothers, who currently operate the Pontiac and Waterford ND schools. Irish Week includes special activities, liturgies, hall decorations and conclude with Thursday and Friday athletic and skills competitions called the "Irish Games." Irish Week is one of the highlights of every school year at Notre Dame - in fact many alumni look back with great fondness on the tradition.
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Notre Dame announces new school seal
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy announced this week a new official seal for the organization. The new seal has been designed to be used to authenticate the highest official school documents (i.e., diplomas, awards, legal briefs, etc.). It could be used on other materials at the discretion of the president, the Board of Trustees or the school's advancement department and may be incorporated into other NDPMA communiques or marketing materials on a limited basis. It's important to note that the current school logo and athletic interlocking ND logo remain the official and primary "brand" identifiers for the school. Full Story 
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Progress continues on new lower division school
Work continues unabated on the new lower-divisio n school on Giddings Road in Pontiac with the demolition of two homes, grading of the site and ongoing renovation of a building that will be used for the division's administration, media center and athletic activities.
According to Carl Bruckner, who is managing the renovation of the former church building, roofers are to begin work soon and he expects to have certain building and electrical inspections completed this week so that insulation and drywall installation can be finished. Full Story
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Notre Dame faculty and students discuss the new pope
The Catholic Church now has a new shepherd in Pope Francis. Even though Notre Dame was in the middle of a hectic Irish Week in March, students, faculty and staff took the time and were eager to comment on the church's new leader.
Watch the following short video compilation below for their comments.
 | | NDPMA discusses Pope Francis |
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New study explores what it means to be an IB teacher
 Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is an International Baccalaureate World School. It is the only school in Michigan with all three IB programs, and NDPMA's teaching staff maintains "a culture of lifelong learning and continuous improvement" that continues to benefit its students in junior kindergarten though high school.
Read about what a recent study concludes about IB teachers vs. those not teaching within an IB program. |
Network with other alumni on LinkedIn
You can network for your career with other members of the alumni association on LinkedIn. All alumni are encouraged to use this networking group to your advantage. You can connect with others in your industry, or post questions, jobs, internships and
announcements.
Visit www.linkedin.com and search "Notre Dame Alumni
Association (Pontiac, MI)."
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Notre Dame Alumni Association on Facebook, Twitter
"Like" the Notre Dame Alumni Association Facebook page to receive news and updates. Follow us on Twitter too!
All alumni are encouraged to join the conversation and post your own memorable photos and videos from your time at Notre Dame or one of our predecessor schools. Or you can post recent status updates and photos to let other alumni know what you're up to!
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List of upcoming class reunions:
If your graduation year ends in a 3 or 8, your class should be celebrating a reunion in 2013.
Considering planning a reunion for your class? The alumni office can help you get started. Call (248) 373-2171 ext. 3 or email rmiller@ndpma.org for details.
NDHS Class of 1963, 50-year
September 14 and 15, 2013. Dinner on Sept. 14 at Sterling Inn, Sterling Heights, Mich. On Sept. 15, 10 a.m. Mass at Old St. Mary in Greektown, Detroit, followed by a Detroit Tigers game. Contacts: John McCabe, (586) 822-5153; Don Herman, (586) 781-0220.
NDHS Class of 1965, 50-year
Contacts: Dennis Berger, dennisaberger@aol.com, (909) 223-4483; Fr. Leon Olszamowski, lolszamowski@ndpma.org.
NDHS Class of 1973, 40-year
Friday June 21 - afternoon golf scramble and 19th hole meet and greet.
Saturday June 22 - evening dinner dance
Sunday June 23 - Detroit Tigers game
Contact Frank Coppola at (586) 295-9375 or taxmanfj@yahoo.com.
Pontiac Catholic Class of 1973, 40-year
Event is in the early planning stage. Contact Nancy Mazza at nancylmazza@yahoo.com.
NDHS Class of 1978, 35-year
Will be planning a 35-year reunion for 2013. Class volunteers needed to help on the planning committee. If you are willing to help, please contact Ron Yanik at ronald0812@aol.com.
NDHS Class of 1989, 25-year
Reunion is in the early planning stages for a TBA date in 2014. Reunion committee in formation. If you would like to help, contact Gregory Simon at gsimon@ndpma.org, or Frank Castronova at fcastronova@ndpma.org.
NDP Class of 1998, 15-year Classmates are discussing plans for a reunion gathering via Facebook. If you would like to volunteer to help plan the reunion, please contact the alumni office at alumni@ndpma.org or Scott Lockhart at scottielockhart@hotmail.com.
NDP Class of 2003, 10-year
Reunion being planned for Thanksgiving weekend 2013. Reunion contacts: John Putnam, jmputnam07@gmail.com; Bridget Maher, bridget.leigh.maher@gmail.com; Aaron Bozicevich, abozicevich@gmail.com; Erin O'Brien, Emobrien8525@gmail.com; Cindy Kraus, c.e.kraus@gmail.com; Kristi Lewandowski, kristi.lewandowski@gmail.com; and Nick Giacona, nickgiacona@hotmail.com.
NDP Class of 2008, 5-yearReunion is in the early planning stages. Reunion contacts: Shannon Bartlett, SBartlett@pulse220.com; Katie Berlin, katherine.l.berlin@wmich.edu.
St. Frederick All Class Reunion 2013
33rd annual All Class Reunion will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2013. St. Frederick school building open for touring at 9:30 a.m. Mass at 11:00 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul, Pontiac. Luncheon at 1:00 p.m. at Santia Hall, Keego Harbor. Tickets available at Kennedy's Irish Pub, Waterford. For more information, contact st_freds_alumni@yahoo.com.
St. Michael All Class Reunion 2013
24th Annual All-School Reunion will be held on Sunday, September 15, 2013. For more information, contact John Martin '51 (SM) at martinjd@wowway.com. For a complete list of reunions and event details, visit www.ndpma.org/reunions.
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We pray for those who have died:
Robert Rebant, father of Todd Rebant '80 (NDHS). 4-1-13
Gerald Keesling '56 (SM), brother of the late John Keesling '49 (SM), Daniel Keesling '52 (SM) and Michael Keesling '61 (SM). Brother-in-law of Barbara (Burch) Keesling '51 (SM) and Shirley (Carroll) Keesling '53 (SM). Uncle of Stephen Keesling '71 (PC) and Kenneth Keesling '73 (PC). 4-1-13
Joyce Olson, grandmother of Thomas Campbell '02 (NDP). 3-27-13
Frank Gruca, father of Eugene Gruca '60 (NDHS) and Paul Gruca '68 (NDHS). 3-27-13
Helen Mitchell, grandmother of Bradley Mitchell '02 (NDP). Mother-in-law of retired NDMA principal's administrative assistant Kathleen Mitchell. 3-26-13
Virginia Lang, mother of Deacon Michael Lange '67 (NDHS). 3-25-13
Mariette Van Hoet, mother of David Van Hoet '78 (NDHS) and Gerald Van Hoet '84 (NDHS). 3-25-13
Phyllis Edwards, mother of Dave Edwards '80 (NDHS). 3-24-13
Anna Palleschi, mother of Anthony Palleschi '77 (NDHS) and Joseph Palleschi '84 (NDHS). 3-23-13
Harold Fitzgerald '49 (SM). 3-23-13
Carlton Witkowski '59 (NDHS). 3-19-13
Mary E. Cosgrove '73 (PC), daughter of Marilyn Cosgrove '49 (SM), niece of Helen Cosgrove Gagel '32 (SF) and cousin of Annemarie Gagel-Weers '73 (PC). 3-19-13
John Wroblewski, uncle of Nino DiPilla '79 (NDHS), Alfred Wroblewski '83 (NDHS) and John Wroblewski '96 (NDHS). 3-19-13
Merry Kaski, wife of William Joy '62 (NDHS). 3-19-13
Lawrence Weinert, brother of William Weinert '61 (NDHS). 3-19-13
Mary Jo Ufford, mother of Michael Ufford '78 (NDHS). 3-19-13
Suzanne DeVoll, mother of Jason DeVoll '02 (NDHS). 3-19-13
Paul Bucci '83 (NDHS). 3-18-13
Edward Trantowski, father of Edward Trantowski '82 (NDHS). 3-18-13
Annette VanLacken, mother of Daniel VanLacken '92 (NDHS) and Michael VanLacken '95 (NDHS). 3-15-13
Anthony Vittiglio, grandfather of Terrance Kelly '02 (NDP) and Briana (Kelly) Wiles '04 (NDP). 3-13-13
Kenneth Cummins, father of Michael Cummins '71 (NDHS) and Timothy Cummins '75 (NDHS). 3-12-13
John Kerwin, uncle of Patrick Kerwin '97 (NDHS) and David Kerwin '99 (NDHS). 3-12-13
Grace McCollum-Schmitz, grandmother of Amanda (Schmitz) Wezner '02 (NDP). 3-10-13
Ethel McKeogh, grandmother of William McKeogh '01 (NDHS). 3-7-13
Joyce Rao, grandmother of Bill Rao '02 (NDP) and Erica Rao '04 (NDP). 3-7-13
Michael Cleland, father of Michael Cleland '86 (NDHS). 3-4-13
Wanda Bartoy, grandmother of Jonathan Bartoy '01 (NDHS).
Arthur Zelinsky, grandfather of David Zelinsky '05 (NDP) and Hannah Zelinsky '09 (NDP). 2-26-13
William Korte, father of William Korte '68 (NDHS), the late Gary Korte '70 (NDHS), Timothy Korte '75 (NDHS) and Terrence Korte '80 (NDHS). Uncle of Michael Korte '71 (NDHS). Great-uncle of Ryan Korte '97 (NDHS). 2-16-13
Gary Dederichs '63 (NDHS). April 2012
We pray for the sick:
Jim Mandl '66 (NDHS) was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer the week before Christmas. He recently completed a series of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. In early April, Jim will have a CT scan and, dependent on CT scan results, will undergo a major operation followed by a 3-month recovery. Please continue to pray for Jim and his family.
Dorothy Hier, mother of Ronald Hier '66 (NDHS).
Lisa Denardo, wife of Frank Denardo '89 (NDHS) and sister-in-law of Tony Denardo '90 (NDHS), who is battling cancer.
Carol Stencel, grandmother of Katrina Stencel '11 (NDP) and Kayla Stencel (current student) who is undergoing a stem cell transplant for lymphoma.
Philip Simon, father of Gregory Simon '89 (NDHS) and Richard Simon '85 (NDHS), who is experiencing health challenges.
Marne Housey, wife of Michael Housey '84 (NDHS). A prayer of thanksgiving that for the first time since her cancer diagnosis, Marne's brain tumor, which has no known cure, has completely disappeared from the MRI! We also pray for another clear MRI in April to show she is cancer-free.
Nicholas Ureel, 16-year-old grandson of John Ureel '58 (NDHS) and Joan Ureel, who is undergoing treatment and surgery for cancer.
Elaine Just, wife of Ed Just '66 (NDHS), was recently diagnosed with stage-three ovarian cancer. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
Joey Caretti, the 12-year-old son of Joe Caretti '84 (NDHS) and Lisa Caretti (Regina HS). The family asks for prayers as he continues to recuperate from various side effects related to his cancer treatment and bone marrow transplant.
Email your prayers and petitions to alumni@ndpma.org.
NDP = Notre Dame Prep; NDHS = Notre Dame High School; OC = Oakland Catholic; PC = Pontiac Catholic; SM = St. Michael; SF = St. Frederick.
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April
9 - Alumni Association Board of Directors Meeting, 6:00 p.m.
13 - Ann Arbor & East Lansing Traveling Irish Dinners
May
14- Alumni Association Board of Directors Meeting, 6:00 p.m.
17 - Big Band Dinner Dance at Lafayette Grande
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