Notre Dame Alumni E-Newsletter
October 2015
 
In This Issue
Open House
Homecoming 2015
Conrad Vachon
Christy Maraone
Mike Phy
Speaker Series
Micaela Colonna
Oktoberfest
Make it Matter Day
NDPMA News
Class Reunions
Prayers for Alumni
Quick Links
Dear , 

What a wonderful homecoming weekend! It was great to see so many alumni and have the chance to meet face to face. The Friday pre-game tailgate kicked off the weekend with a bang, followed by dinner in the alumni tent. Over 200 alumni joined us as the Irish beat River Rouge in a battle to the finish.
 
On Saturday morning, the 2nd annual Notre Dame 5K Fun Run turned out to be a huge success with over 120 runners. The weather was perfect and it was exciting to see so many alum out to support the event.

The alumni board launched its career speaker series last month with a successful first session on engineering. Later this month, we will welcome seven more alums to campus to speak about their careers in medicine. As we continue to build out our alumni business network, we hope you will consider sharing your career with the students at NDP. If you are interested, please let me know. 

Enjoy fall! 


Beth Campbell
Director of Alumni Relations
bcampbell@ndpma.org 
UPCOMING EVENTS 
Open House to Feature Notre Dame's World of Education

Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy will hold its 2015 Open House on Sunday, October 25, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., to showcase the school's junior-kindergarten through 12th grades. A large crowd of visitors is expected to learn about what the school's lower, middle and upper divisions have to offer in terms of an overall educational experience as well as the rigorous International Baccalaureate program. We invite all alumni to attend!

For more information, click here.
ALUMNI NEWS
Homecoming Weekend 2015

Friday night began with the first- ever  homecoming pre-game tailgate at the Fr. Colin house. Guest enjoyed appetizers, drinks and games before heading to the alumni tent on the football field, which opened at 6 p.m. Alumni enjoyed a free gift, dinner and reserved seating in the alumni bleachers. Over 200 alums took part in Friday night's activities. The Irish football team did not disappoint with a thrilling victory over River Rouge. 

To see over 150 pictures from homecoming weekend, click here.



The fun continued with the 2nd Annual Homecoming 5K Fun Run. More than 120 runners hit the streets of the Notre Dame campus on a beautiful Saturday morning.



Alumni Write More About a Very Unique Teacher

From Wally Koster '64 (NDHS):

Ms. Campbell:

Thank you for the wonderful remembrance of Conrad Vachon, truly a special person. Mr. Vachon saw what he called "a glimmer of hope" in my writing assignments. 
He encouraged me to keep a journal and thanks to him I've enjoyed a 40-plus-year career in advertising and other creative fields. I think of him often.
Kathleen and I sincerely enjoyed the '64 reunion. Keep up the great work!

From Tom Alef '66 (NDHS):

I wrote a half-page paper on a poem for Mr. Vachon my freshman year. He flipped my paper over and wrote a full-page encouraging, constructive critique. Later that year he published a poem of mine in the Quest. He'd say he would drive into the sun, east on his way to ND, and west on his way home. Good reading about him.

To read more memories, click here.

Rocky Mountain Marketer 

You might think somebody with a big and important career who earned four college degrees before she was 27 years old would attribute her career success to all of that post-secondary education. Or to studying or living in 18 foreign countries before she was 30. 

But for Christy Maraone, a 2000 graduate of Notre Dame Prep, it was advice from her father and her high school that made the biggest differences in her life thus far.

"One of the most substantial influences for my career has been my father," said Maraone, who currently is director of marketing, public relations and communications for Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center in Denver, Colorado. "My dad, Dennis, was a graduate of Notre Dame in Harper Woods ('70), and he expressed to me at a very early age the importance of a good education and dedicated work ethic." 

A successful marketing professional himself, Dennis Maraone has traveled to countless countries launching marketing initiatives for General Motors, according to Christy. 

In fact, during Christy's junior year at NDP, her family moved to Israel for a year while her father helped launch the Opel car brand and managed numerous other General Motors brands in that country. That was her first glimpse of life abroad and she said it really opened her eyes to a whole new world. 

"I attended the American International School in Israel and even took a year of Hebrew," she said. 

To read more of Maraone's story, click here.
Alum Takes Over Big Suburban Fire Department

A recent article in C&G News talks about 1978 alum Mike Phy as he takes over a suburban fire department. Congratulations, Mike!

Township promotes former deputy chief to fire chief
By Nick Mordowanec, C&G News 

CLINTON TOWNSHIP - Mike Phy is ready to take the reins of the Clinton Township Fire Department. Phy, who celebrated his 29th anniversary as a township firefighter in March, is the new fire chief in Clinton Township. 

He previously served as the deputy chief.

The official announcement of Phy's promotion to his current position occurred at the board of trustees meeting July 27. The board unanimously approved the decision.
Phy replaces former Chief Jack Shea, who retired June 30 after seven years at the helm.

"There's obviously going to be changes, and one of the biggest changes I've been able to be successful in already is I've been able to get a second deputy chief in the office," Phy said. "That in itself is going to be a huge boost in the operation of this department.

"We haven't had the time to spend on projects or things we really should have spent more time (on). We're going to be able to afford the time."

The addition of a second deputy chief is still in negotiations, though the position was officially created at that same June 30 meeting.

To read more of Phy's story, click here.
Alumni Career 'Speaker Series' Kicks off at Notre Dame

 
On September 23, in the first of a planned monthly series of career presentations by Notre Dame alums for students of NDP, four graduates of Notre Dame discussed everything engineering with more than 60 very attentive and interested students.

Tom Durkin '00 (NDP), Jeff Healy '98 (NDP) and Anthony Farchone '98 (NDP) were on hand in NDPMA's media center and Karen Dewitt '01 (NDP) by video to talk to the students about future careers in engineering. Scott Lockhart, a 1998 graduate of Notre Dame Prep, who also is chair of the Notre Dame Alumni Association, served as facilitator for the speakers.

To read more about the alumni speakers, click here.
Alum's Budding Career in Journalism Began at Notre Dame 

Micaela Colonna, who graduated from Notre Dame Prep in 2012, was bitten by the news media bug early in her young life. In fact, while at NDP, she was a staff member and later editor-in-chief of The Leprechaun, NDP's main student newspaper. Now well into her fourth year in Michigan State University's journalism program, Colonna is on her way to a future career either behind of or in front of a camera or microphone-or perhaps both!

"When I arrived at MSU, I immediately joined our university's student radio station, Impact 89FM, using my voice both inside the DJ booth and creating on-air news podcasts," said Colonna. "The following year, I began working at The State News, MSU's student-run newspaper, covering stories from the basketball court to the Lansing courthouse."

It wasn't long after that when Colonna began assisting with the production of Focal Point, the university's student-run television show. (She now is senior producer.) She said she has a huge passion for all kinds of news: entertainment, hard news, politics, sports and feel-good stories, and she's very interested in both reporting and television production. 

Her interest in television production and the work she had done at MSU eventually took Colonna to Burbank, Calif., during her junior year at MSU where she interned at The Ellen DeGeneres Show. "I really found my passion for television production there," she said. 

To read more of Colonna's story, click here.
NDPMA NEWS
Oktoberfest 2015 Ends With Big Raffle Drawing; Winning Numbers Posted
 
At Notre Dame's 2015 Oktoberfest celebration held Saturday, October 3, on the school's Pontiac campus, the winning Super Raffle tickets were drawn from about 46,000 tickets that were sold, netting the lucky winners big prizes. Raffle ticket holders had a chance of winning one of the seven main prizes: $50,000, $10,000, $5,000, $2,500, and three $1,000 payouts.

The net proceeds from the raffle-more than $475,000-will be used to help Notre Dame with financial aid, continuing technology upgrades for the students and other classroom enhancements.

More than 600 Notre Dame families and friends attended Saturday's celebration, which featured cocktails, dinner and music. 

The school also recognized its Volunteers of the Year for the 2014/2015 school year at the event. They are:

- Jerry and Louise Palardy, for their work with the lower division Vex Robotics program
- Mary Currie, for her work as Oktoberfest co-chair the last several years
- Ann Marie Allard, for her work with the Right to Life program, the student March for Life and tireless support of the band program


To see the winning numbers, click here.
Notre Dame Makes it Matter

On Make it Matter Day, the 2015 edition, which was held October 2, all three divisions of Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy came together under one roof on the Pontiac campus to "make it matter." 

The school calls this annual event Make It Matter Day because it is an opportunity for more than 1,100 students and their teachers to focus on the "Christian Persons" aspect of the school mission. The goal is to make something useful for people in need in the metropolitan Detroit area and in other parts of the world.
 
The students worked on specially designed "onesies" for needy infants, packets of materials for children activities in hospitals, decorated photo frames for residents of China, and fleece blankets for families in emergencies or for the homeless among many other projects. In addition, many students in Notre Dame's upper division painted and decorated large plywood panels that will be used as a more attractive alternative for boarding up abandoned houses in Detroit and around southeast Michigan. 

Marists to Host Worldwide Gathering of  Youth in France


In a recent announcement made in Rome by the four Marist General Superiors, an International Gathering of Marist Youth (IGMY) will take place at the Marist school Sainte Marie Lyon-La Solitude in Lyons, France, July 17-23, 2016. This worldwide gathering-under the title "Dare to Dream"-is a joint initiative of the four religious branches of the Marist family: the Marist Sisters, the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary, the Marist Fathers and the Marist Brothers. 

According to the Marists, the youth gathering is being organized to promote the coordination and integration of young Marists of the Marist family, the celebration of the bicentenary of the Pledge of Fourvičre on July 23, 2016, and the bicentenary of the founding of the Institute of the Marist Brothers on January 2, 2017. IGMY precedes World Youth Day, also a Marist event scheduled to take place in Kraków, Poland, July 26-31, 2016.

Marist USA Provincial Fr. Paul Flechette, s.m., said the General Superiors finalized plans for IGMY at a meeting in late September. "Fr. Alejandro Muņoz, s.m., the Marist Fathers coordinator in the preparatory committee, reports that so far 80 young people will participate from the our [Marist Fathers] branch, coming from nine different provinces and districts," said Flechette. "The hope is that the youth groups can also participate in the World Youth Day in Krakow."

To read more, click here.
Major Benefactor Honored Before Varsity Football Game

At a special ceremony held on the football field prior to Notre Dame's Sept. 25 night game against league rival Loyola, William Kozyra, chair emeritus and current member of the school's Board of Trustees, was honored for his many contributions to Notre Dame, and specifically for providing a major portion of the funding for the field's new artificial turf. (Video below.)
In remarks during the ceremony, Notre Dame Vice President Andy Guest said the school was grateful for Kozyra's dedication to Notre Dame and its students.

"Earlier this year," Guest said, "we initiated an aggressive project to re-carpet the field we are now standing on. Bill graciously agreed to underwrite a major portion of the funding, making the new field you see tonight possible for the thousands of students who compete on it on an almost daily basis, and for those who will compete here well into the future."

While Kozyra's family looked on, senior captains of the Fighting Irish football team presented Kozyra with a specially designed, hand-framed photo of the newly carpeted field. 

To watch a video from the presentation, click here.
For more Notre Dame news,  click here.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Addison Oaks Christmas Tree Farm - Frank Rimi '71 (NDHS)

It's that time of the year when we will be putting up our Christmas trees! Here's a chance to support Notre Dame and a Notre Dame High School alum's business.

For each tree sold, Addison Oaks Christmas Tree Farm will donate $5 back to Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy. The tree farm is owned and operated by Frank Rimi '71 (NDHS), his wife Cathy Rimi and their three sons. The 20-acre site was first planted as a tree farm in 1988 and features rolling, scenic topography. The farm is nestled between two parks in northern Oakland Township.

Visit www.addisonoakstrees.com for a map and information.

Be sure to print out the Donation Coupon and present it at the time of purchase.
Notre Dame Offers Intramural Sports for Grades 1-5

 

Coed volleyball, soccer and basketball will be offered. Open to the public.

 

To learn more or to register, click here.

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 the predecessor schools. Or you can post recent status updates and photos to let other alumni know what you're up to!  

Don't forget to utilize the alumni business directory

 

Be sure to check out our alumni business directory. If you would like to add your business to our list please contact Beth Campbell at bcampbell@ndpma.org.

CLASS REUNIONS NEWS
For a list of upcoming class reunions   

Considering planning a reunion for your class? The alumni office can help you get started. Call (248) 373-2171, ext. 3, or email bcampbell@ndpma.org for details. 

PRAYERS FOR ALUMNI
We pray for those who have died:

Daniel Bankstahl- Son of Robert '62 (NDHS) 10-17-15

Christine Carson- Grandmother of Stephanie Stoneback, '15 (NDP) 10-17-15

Rev. Fr. Loren O'Dea- '46 (SM) 10-14-15

Harry Westrick- Father of Bill '82 (NDHS) and Greg '84 (NDHS) 10-14-15

James Polite- Father of Louis '76 (NDHS), Tom '78 (NDHS), Jim '84 (NDHS), and grandson Andrew (NDP) 10-12-15

Glen Blust- '50 (SM) 10-9-15

Lynn Chockley- Mother of Elizabeth, '03 (NDP) 10-7-15

Harold Lemmerf- '59 (NDHS) 10-7-15

Simon Hakim- Father of David, '76 (NDHS) 9-30-15

Mary Susan Schweitzer- Wife of Fred '61 (NDHS) 9-26-15

Patricia Wilson- Mother of Tom'72 (PC) and Mary Beth'80 (PC) 9-29-15

Janet Wendling- Mother of Thomas '72 (NDHS) 9-24-15

Virgina Koppsch- Mother of Richard '69 (NDHS), the late Ronald '64 (NDHS) and aunt to 

Joseph Kapelczak- '62 (NDHS) 9-24-15

Henry Giroux- Father of Patrick, '75 (NDHS) and William '79 (NDHS) 9-24-15

Margaret Free Stone- Grandmother of Page '09 (NDP) 9-24-15

John "Jack" Murphy Jr.- Father of Michael '67 (NDHS) and Dennis '68 (NDHS), and grandfather to Shannon '98 (NDP), Deanna '00 (NDP) and Ashley '03 (NDP) 9-20-15

Dolores Rebant- Mother of Todd '80 (NDHS) 9-17-15

Jacqueline Brennan- Mother of John (former coach) and grandmother of Johnny, '12 (NDP) 9-16-15

Louis Meeks- Grandfather of Kellen, '12 (NDP) and Danielle, '14 (NDP) 9-14-15

Bob Morrison- Father of Michael, '84 (NDHS) 9-9-15

Ralph McGreevy- Father of Mark '76 (NDHS) and Mike '73 (NDHS) Grandfather of Colin '08 (NDP), Eoghan '06 (NDP), Ruairi '12 (NDP) and Maiti '15 (NDP), Stefan Francesconi '07 (NDP) and Alayna Francesconi '09 (NDP) 9-6-15

Esther Mae Yonkoski- Mother of Ronald '67 (NDHS) 9-7-15

Paul Barthel- Grandfather of Justin '05 (NDP) 8-30-15

Donald Wojie- Father of David '75 (NDHS) 8-27-15

Joseph Gagnon- Father of Michael, '66 (NDHS) 8-26-15

Agnes Richer- '41 (SM) 8-25-15

Vitold Rosinski- Father of Chris, '83 (NDHS) 8-17-15

Teresa DeLuca- Mother of Peter, '85 (NDHS) 8-15-15

Cass Gacki- Father of David, '81 (NDHS) 8-11-15

Paul Kosek- Father of Thomas J, '77 (NDHS) 8-8-15

Bernetta Seling- Grandmother of Ryan Trobaugh, '05 (NDP) 8-8-15

Alberta Meneghin- Father of Albert Jr., '92 (NDHS) 8-7-15

David Raggio- Grandfather of Samantha, '14 (NDP) and Nicholas '16 (NDP) 8-3-15

Jerome Yahrmatter- Grandfather of Eric '06 (NDP) and Sarah '09 (NDP) 8-2-15

Sarah Lezotte- Grandmother of Lindsay, '02 (NDP), Jonathan '06 (NDP) and Michael '08 (NDP) 8-1-15

Mary Ann Zych- Wife of Ed, '67 (NDHS) 8-1-15

Ingrid Niemi- Grandmother of Lauren, '06 (NDP) 7-30-15

Emily Kayuk- Mother off James, '71 (NDHS), William '73 (NDHS), Thomas '74 (NDHS) 7-12-15

Douglas Turczynski- '66 (NDHS) 7-9-15

Barbara Wenner- Wife of Thomas, '65 (NDHS) 8-22-14 


Prayer List: click here
 
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.