Impact Alumni Magazine Winter 2024/25

WINTER 2024/25

Do you Remember . . .

HOMECOMIN G

2007 HALLWAY DECORATIONS

2008 POWDERPUFF G AME

HOMECOMIN G COURT

DANCE AND PHOTO BOOTH

2016

2017

THEMED DRESS-UP DAYS

CONVOCATIONS

2018

2022

ALUMNI— FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR MORE G C FLASHBACKS! @ G UERINCATHOLICALUMNI

CONTENTS 01 President’s Message 02 Class of 2024 04 Simply Blessed 08 G uerin Catholic G ala 10 Hopes and Dreams

President’s Message

There’s never been a better time to be a Golden Eagle! Whether you are a current Guerin Catholic student, a member of our growing alumni community, a supportive parent or grandparent, or one of the forward-thinking founders of the school, there is so much of which to be proud. Guerin Catholic rocked the past year: 20 years

12 Fine Arts 15 Athletics 18 Alumni News

celebrated as a school, James McNeany honored as the Indiana District 5 Principal of the Year , GCHS recognized as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School , AND our capital campaign of $26 million to build a new Fine Arts and Wellness Center set us on top! Our capacity enrollment and steadfast Catholic identity all the while kept us focused! I hope you will enjoy reading about our highlights of the 2023 2024 school year as well as what the future holds, including a look at how the 63,000 sq. foot Fine Arts and Wellness Center will impact the lives of our students. The new addition is still on track to open for use in August of 2025. While we have raised the necessary funds to build the building, we now focus our fundraising efforts on purchasing the furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FFE) items that will be needed in the new building when completed. This year’s magazine also shines the spotlight on many of our impressive alumni: airmen in the United States Air Force, a professional photographer, actors, collegiate athletes, and more. So many successful alums, following their passion and taking the message and mission of Guerin Catholic out into the world. We recognize how important it is to stay in touch with the alumni base of Guerin Catholic. To that end, part of the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan included hiring a full-time Director of Alumni Relations. We were able to do that this year and are so pleased to have Kathleen (Wannemuehler) Prohaska ’13 step into that role. Kathleen was already a part of the GCHS staff, serving on the Admissions and Enrollment team. She hit the ground running in her new role and we are excited to have her working on your behalf, keeping all of you—our alumni—informed about the great things happening at your school. If you have ever been a part of the Guerin Catholic community, you REMAIN a Golden Eagle forever, and there has never been a better time to be a Golden Eagle! May you continue to Lead with Humility, Serve with Love, and Trust in Providence. St. Theodore Guerin, Pray for us!

Publisher Guerin Catholic High School Editors GC Communications Department Colleen Ward cward @ guerincatholic . org Kelly Kijovsky kkijovsky @ guerincatholic . org Leslie Webber lwebber @ guerincatholic . org Content Editor Kathleen (Wannemuehler) Prohaska ’13 Copy Editor Shelley Horn Photographers Margaret Fallin Mike Navarro Bob Nichols Mike Panasuk Graphic Designer Kelly Kijovsky Printing Printing Partners Guerin Catholic Most Rev. Bishop High School Timothy L. Doherty diocese of lafayette - in - indiana Jeff Constantino presiding officer school governing board Deacon Rick Wagner president James McNeany principal Impact Magazine is published annually by Guerin Catholic High School, 15300 Gray Road, Noblesville, IN 46062, 317.582.0120, GuerinCatholic.org. Saint Theodore Guerin High School is a diocesan Catholic school serving diverse learners, forming the whole person through faith development, excellence in academics, and student life to live out the gospel message. PROMISE STATEMENT “Love the children first, then teach them.” - St. Theodore Guerin VISION STATEMENT Lead with Humility. Serve with Love. Trust in Providence Copyright 2024 by Guerin Catholic High School. All rights reserved. MISSION STATEMENT

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Deacon Rick Wagner President

WELCOME G UERIN CATHOLIC’S NEWEST ALUMNI!

“Now here we are, senior year has come and gone, and it is time for us to leave the nest. The nest that has become home for us the past four years, that somehow we’ve really only just begun to appreciate, and our appreciation must be spread to those who have guided us here.”

- LILY MADDEN ’24 COMMENCEMENT STUDENT SPEAKER

CLASS OF 2024 MEMORABLE SNAPSHOTS

“THIS HI G H SCHOOL BUZZER BEATER IS A 10 OUT Of 10” - BARSTOOL SPORTS

Guerin Catholic basketball fans won’t soon forget a buzzer beater winning play by the Golden Eagles in the Class 3A sectional final last March. Malcolm Houze ’25 managed to score a game-winning basket within the final second of a double-overtime thriller! The play was unforgettable with an over-the-head, backwards pass by Ben Grissom ’24 who managed to save the ball from going out of bounds by inches. The basket resulted in a 75-74 victory over Brebeuf Jesuit. The buzzer beater highlight was covered nationally, including a post by Barstool Sports! After the win, the Golden Eagles advanced all the way to the Class 3A final four, falling to Scottsburg in the semi-state game! What a season!

G uerin Catholic High School celebrated its 18th Commencement exercise on Thursday, May 30, 2024 for its 192 graduates. The class of 2024 earned over $41 million in college scholarship awards with 23% of the class earning an International Baccalaureate Diploma.

G OODBYE UNIFORM SKIRTS!

On their last day of class, seniors from the class of 2024 celebrated one of the most beloved annual Guerin Catholic traditions—painting of the skirts/pants and tie dye uniform shirts. Of significance for last year’s seniors was that they were the last class for Guerin Catholic girls to wear skirts through their senior year. Skirts were removed as a uniform option starting with the 2024-25 school year after a two-year uniform policy committee review.

Simply Blessed

Guerin Catholic received their National Blue Ribbon recognition at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on November 7th. Representatives in attendance included Jason Wagoner (Spanish teacher), Beth Wagoner (Visual Arts department chair); Trudy Young (Diocese of Lafayette-in- Indiana Superintendent); James McNeany (Principal); Leona Chianello (Assistant to the Prinicipal); Jen Mascari (Kinesiology teacher); and Tommy Mascari (Kinesiology department chair).

BLUE RIBBON STATUS G uerin Catholic named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School

For the first time in our school’s history, Guerin Catholic was named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School. This prestigious award is a testament to our strong academic achievement. The United States Department of Education describes the National Blue Ribbon designation as the “award program honoring high-performing schools… that have demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence.” As a Catholic school, our commitment to academic excellence is an essential part of our overall mission to help our young people cultivate the God-given gifts they have been given to share with our world. We initially qualified for consideration for this award because our statewide SAT scores are among the best in Indiana. The scores of different subgroups of students remain consistent with our overall performance. In particular, our math scores shine during a time when many schools are experiencing a post pandemic regression. Many of the academic strategies we put in place several years ago designed to boost overall mastery of essential content continue to pay dividends.

2024 SAT RESULTS (2023-2024 G RADE 11 STUDENTS) Math English G uerin Catholic HS 77.7%* 90.7%*

Area Catholic High School Average (4) Area Public High School Average (8)

55.6%

82.8%

47.4%

73.0%

* percentage at benchmark

This award is about more than just one test, though. In fact, each academic department was considered in the application process. The curriculum for each subject area was examined along with instructional and assessment practices. Finally, we had to outline the academic supports in place for our students who qualify. Our Learning Support Department continues to have an outstanding track record of success with students who learn differently. This distinction serves as validation of the effectiveness of many intentional decisions, initiatives, and interactions that come together to contribute to the overall success of Guerin Catholic. Congratulations to our entire community for earning this award! n

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- MR. JAMES MCNEANY PRINCIPAL

JAMES MCNEANY NAMED INDIANA DISTRICT 5 HI G H SCHOOL PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR Principal James McNeany was recognized as the Indiana District 5 High School Principal of the Year! The Indiana Association of School Principals annually recognizes outstanding school leaders in each of the 12 Indiana districts who have succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students. These principals are acknowledged by their peers for the exemplary contributions they have made to the profession. Mr. McNeany has served as Guerin Catholic’s principal since 2013. He and his wife Jennifer have five children— Noah ’20 , Evan ’22 , Adam ’25 , Mary ’27 , and Colin—and are members of St. Maria Goretti parish in Westfield, IN. n

EVENTS FOR FUTURE G OLDEN EA G LES

FAMILY ADORATION Join us on Thursday, January 23, 2025 Guerin Catholic hosted its first Young Family Adoration this past summer on June 27th. This event welcomed alumni families, Camp Purple campers and community members to participate in a guided Adoration session that was tailored to our youngest Golden Eagles. Little worshippers had time to learn new songs, practice genuflecting and even had time for chalk and popsicles outside. Thank you to our Fine Arts Department for leading this initiative and giving our community another tradition to look forward to! The next Family Adoration night is Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 6-6:45 pm in St. Joseph’s Chapel. Registration is not required. n

CAMP PURPLE 2025 Registration opens February 12th The 2024 Camp Purple program welcomed 1,161 campers in grades K-8 during June and July for a variety of athletic and enrichment camps. With 52 different camps to choose from, campers were able to enjoy a fun summer camp experience on campus, and learn more about GC. The program coordinators were alumnae Lauren Wagoner ’20 and Sarah Dilley ’21 . Other alumni instructors included Maggie Adolay ’21 , Justine Hinkley ’21 , Abigail Snyder ’21 , Katie Ginder ’18 , Katie Barrett ’11 , and Billy Thompson ’11 , as well as many alumni on our athletic coaching staff. The Fine Arts department also hosted a two-week Moana, Jr. theatre camp. Registration for the 2025 Camp Purple season opens on February 12, 2025 on the Guerin Catholic website. n

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Simply Blessed

G IVIN G BACK Creating a G eneration of G iving While standing in the drink line at our Providence Fund

Dinner in September, I had a conversation with one of our generous donors. I thanked him for bringing his alumni children to the event, and what he said truly touched my heart— “It’s my pleasure—they need to see that giving back is something they should do and want to do. By giving a small amount each month, they’ll form a habit that fills them with gratitude and purpose as they support their alma mater.” This leads me to share the inspiring story of the Pohl family—a beautiful example of what it means to give back.

Lauren (Van Atter) Pohl ’13 , and her husband, Kevin, along with their three future Golden Eagles—Kaden, Lucy, and one on the way—live in Westfield, Indiana. Lauren and Kevin are the embodiment of the Guerin Catholic’s spirit of giving. “I credit Guerin Catholic for a lot of the personal, academic and professional success I have achieved in my life,” says Lauren. “Kevin and I have personally seen the impact that this institution has on its students, their parents, faculty and staff. We believe in Guerin Catholic’s mission and are happy to support such a worthy cause.” Lauren spent time working part-time in the GC Advancement Office and has seen firsthand the impact of philanthropy in our community. Although she now stays home full-time with her children, her passion for Guerin Catholic continues to grow. “The joy we experience when volunteering and giving back is both spiritual and purposeful,” said Lauren. The Pohls are also part of the St. Joseph’s Society—Guerin Catholic’s planned giving society—meaning they have documented Guerin Catholic in their will. “We look forward to continuing our support of the Guerin Catholic mission and community so that current and future Golden Eagles will have the same opportunities and experiences that have been such a blessing to our family.” As St. Theodore Guerin reminds us, “We are not called upon to do all the good that is possible, but only that which we can do.” Thank you Mother Guerin and to the Pohl family for their love and generosity to support our entire Guerin Catholic community. For more information on how to give back through volunteering or making a gift, please reach out to Kathleen Prohaska ’13, Alumni Relations Specialist, at alumni@guerincatholic.org or (317) 582-0120 Ext. 318. n - LORI NORRIS VICE PRESIDENT, INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

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LIMITED QUANTITY OF BRICKS LEFT— ORDER TODAY!

ON THE ALUMNI WALL IN THE NEW FINE ARTS & WELLNESS CENTER!

CONSTRUCTION PRO G RESS New Fine Arts and Wellness Center On Track to Open in August 2025

After many years of planning and fundraising, our Fine Arts and Wellness Center is on track to open in August of 2025. The exciting new 63,000 square-foot facility will provide our students, staff and coaches with much needed additional space. Fine arts performances will now take place in a 500-seat auditorium with state-of-the-art sound and lighting. Performers will also enjoy a backstage area that includes a dressing room and plenty of costume storage. Players and fans will be able to utilize our new fieldhouse with two courts—a traditional wood court and a synthetic surface. Athletes will be able to store sports equipment and get game ready in the expansive and re-designed locker rooms. The building also includes a walking track, weight room, kinesiology classroom, and two concession stands—one for fine arts and the other for athletics. Perhaps the most exciting addition, especially for our long-time Golden Eagle fans, are new bathrooms accessible from the outdoor fields and courts! n

Tours of the new Fine Arts and Wellness Center allowed groups to see construction progress first-hand. Above, a group of faculty and staff stand in the 500-seat auditorium. L-R: Debbie Stanisz, Alfie Hernandez, Jen Mascari, Tommy Mascari, Sister Lily Anne, OP, Sister Paulina Forster, OP, Sheryl Niccum, Bridget Ryan, Lauren LaCoy, Kelly Kijovsky, and Perry (P 2 ) Page.

HELP US FILL THE NEW FINE ARTS & WELLNESS CENTER WITH FURNITURE, FIXTURES, AND EQUIPMENT!

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Cheers to

G ALA CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY AND HONORS BISHOP HI G I LEADERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS The Guerin Catholic Gala on February 9, 2024 kicked off a year-long celebration of Guerin Catholic High School’s 20th Anniversary. The event brought together the GC community to celebrate the school, its mission and its impactful history. Proceeds from the event supported the Providence Fund, which helps tuition assistance, faculty and staff support, student life experiences and learning support. The event also honored the 2024 Bishop William L. Higi Leadership Award recipients— Miranda (Wood) Armie ’09 (Alumni category); Karen Kennedy (Faculty-Staff category); Tom and Amy Smith (Community category); and David and Jeanne Stordy (Community category). The 2025 Guerin Cathoilc Gala will be held on Friday, February 21 at the Ritz-Charles. The event will honor the 2025 Bishop William L. Higi Leadership Award recipients, who will be announced on December 20, 2024 in conjunction with the annual Alumni Mass and Brunch.

Visit GuerinCatholic.org/gala for event details and the announcement of the 2025 award recipients. n

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On August 16, 2024, Guerin Catholic commemorated its 20th anniversary of the school opening for its first academic year on August 16, 2004. Eleven original faculty and staff members, as well as one member of the first graduating class, are currently working at the school and were present when those doors opened. They include (L-R): Alvis “AJ” Johnson, Jeff Buckner, Jason Wagoner, Beth Wagoner, Debbie Stanisz, Leona Chianello, Shannon (Murray) Strong ’07, Grace Pratt, Jason Adams, Cathy Dolan, Marcia Murphy, and Perry “P 2 ” Page. This legendary group of “GC Originals” shared their favorite memories and milestones in last year’s issue of IMPACT magazine. Now they are forward thinking, sharing their desires, hopes and dreams for future Golden Eagles. n

we continue to build our faith community by not only encouraging/including others to be part of it but also to have the children of our alumni attend.” - BETH WAGONER VISUAL ARTS DEPT. CHAIR

our community stays true to its Roman Catholic identity. Alumni who helped establish this identity can help make sure this stays true.” - JASON WAGONER SPANISH TEACHER

our alumni continue to come back to teach here an return to attend Mass with us. They have an apprecia for the virtues fostered here. I hope the love and ca that we put into each day continues in the next 20 ye and we see more students grow into good, Catholic ad - LEONA CHIANELLO ASST. TO THE PRINCIPAL

everyone who enters the building shares the same love and passion shown in this picture. These individuals understand the school, its mission, and the value of putting God at the forefront of everything. We cherish Guerin’s past and are thrilled to be able to witness its ongoing growth.” - SHANNON (MURRAY) STRONG ’07 VISUAL ARTS TEACHER

the community would still know and love Mother Guerin.” - MARCIA MURPHY DIR. OF FINE ARTS

we build a strong alumni network, creating opportunities for our students to connect through mentorship programs, job connections, and philanthropic efforts. Our alumni are an important community that supports the school’s mission and contributes to our success.”

many of the beautiful traditions continue for the next generation! I hope that our alumni will send their children here to continue family legacies. Guerin Catholic has become the school that all of us hoped it would be . . . and much more!”

nd ation are ears dults.”

- GRACE PRATT SCHOOL COUNSELOR

- CATHY DOLAN EXEC. ASST. TO THE PRESIDENT

THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO BE A G OLDEN EA G LE . . . IN FINE ARTS! So much has happened this year! First, we just completed the second year of a new format for Student Studio. For our fall production, students create their own musical as a team. This process allows our students to showcase their skills and talents, while pushing them to learn more about the artistic process. It is so much fun watching students grow not just as performers but as creators as well. Second, our new Fine Arts and Wellness Center will be open in August 2025! It is hard to believe that this new peformance area is becoming a reality. The project includes a 500-seat auditorium, scene shop, dressing rooms, make-up rooms, a new classroom/greenroom, and a Fine Arts office. While thinking about the future is so exciting, I can’t help but reflect on our alumni as well—your performances in the aisles, the lack of sets you endured, and not having a backstage. This new space would have never happened without the sacrifices you made. I am so grateful to you. In the future, we will do our three performances and concerts in the new space. But we also have other plans. Our goal is to do an annual summer show involving alumni and the greater community. The Fine Arts Department thinks this show would be fun and connect our alumni to their alma mater! Continue to pray for us as we form young artists, and don’t be afraid to stop in for a show or concert. You are always welcome! Peace,

Fine Arts

Marcia Murphy Director of Fine Arts

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Floral Designers

KATHERINE MARTIN ’13 AND KRISTIN MARTIN ’13

Katherine and Kristin are identical twin sisters and have always been incredibly close. The pair graduated from Guerin Catholic in 2013, and both attended DePauw University where Katherine studied Computer Science and Communications, and Kristin studied English Writing. After graduating from DePauw, both sisters spent years working in the tech industry. Katherine specialized in sales and marketing while Kristin specialized in product design.

“As the daughters of two entrepreneurs, it’s not surprising that eventually we would open our own business. What first started as a hobby, quickly turned into a business as friends and family started asking us to create the florals for their weddings. Our older sister got married in Maine, and we created all of the centerpieces together after picking up the flowers from a local farm. From that moment on, we were totally hooked on floral design.” After freelancing for florists locally, the pair started their own wedding floral design business called Duet Floral. “The name comes from us being a ‘pair’ but also partnering with our clients to bring their floral dreams to life. Getting to work with your sister is an amazing perk! There is also something so special about playing a key role in major milestones for clients.” After 3 years in business, Duet has flowered over a hundred weddings and events. Their work has also been featured at Newfields Art in Bloom, and published in wedding magazines like Style Me Pretty and WeddingDay Magazine . While most of their design work is based in Indianapolis, they also travel and have designed for events in New York City, Chicago, and Tampa, FL. They have also had the pleasure of flowering for multiple Guerin Catholic alumni and hope to continue to do so in the years to come! To learn more about their work, visit duetfloral.com . n

Theater Director

AUDREY LARKIN ’13 Audrey Larkin has worked at The Cat, a local off-off broadway theater in Carmel, Indiana, for the past six years. Her role has her wear a variety of hats as venue coordinator, producer, fundraiser, marketer, and occasionally back on stage as actor or director. This year she has expanded her duties by helping start The Drama Department, an education based youth theater program. She serves as the Director of Acting to a class of 50 children ages 8-18. “Theater has been a part of my life since I was five, it’s incredibly helpful in making empathetic, collaborative and inventive individuals,” said Larkin. She will be directing two shows this year— Seussical the Musical for The Cat’s Carmel Apprentice Theater, and Disney’s Descendants for The Drama Department. n

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Photographer

Actor

TAYLOR THOMAN ’13 Favorite memories Taylor Thoman had as a Golden Eagle included IB Art and playing on the Girls’ lacrosse team. Inspired by GC’s Visual Arts Department Chair, Mrs. Beth Wagoner , Taylor studied Art Education at Purdue University. Along the way, a minor in Spanish expanded into a double major, and she spent six months in Madrid, Spain studying Spanish language and culture. Taylor established a freelance photography business toward the end of high school after many practice photoshoots with her friends. Throughout college, she enjoyed photography as a social and flexible job. She photographed events for groups on campus, as well as headshots, graduation portraits, weddings, and the occasional promotional video. It was during one of these freelance gigs, when she was hired by a mutual friend, that she met her future husband, Trey. After graduation, Taylor moved to Utah to teach art and currently teaches digital photography. She loves sharing her knowledge of photography and mentoring young people. While teaching is a challenging career, Taylor is passionate about her work. She is also thrilled to use her Spanish skills on a daily basis with her students from South and Central America. Helping the students ease into life at a large American public school is one of the most rewarding parts of her job. Taylor decided that teaching was plenty of work and paused her freelance photography business. But her weekends are

JACK LOUB ’19 Jack Loub graduated from Purdue University in 2023 with a BS in Industrial Engineering and a BA in Theatre. In September 2023, he moved to Los Angeles, CA during the WGA & SAG-AFTRA strikes to pursue acting. “Although the film industry has been experiencing a bit of a contraction due to the economic downturn from the writer/actor strikes, I’ve been keeping busy by taking classes all throughout LA, including at two prominent, premiere improv schools: The Groundlings & Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB). My day-to-day looks like self-submitting for auditions, going to acting classes, and networking with other industry professionals,” said Jack. In June 2024, Jack joined SAG-AFTRA (the actor’s union) after writing, producing, starring in, and editing his own short film under one of SAG-AFTRA’s contract agreements. He’s been working with a manager who has coordinated several auditions for commercials, television shows, and feature films for him. “I never would have ended up where I am today if it weren’t for Guerin Catholic. I took Mr. (Mike) Panasuk’s theatre class as my third-choice elective, having never done acting before, and he encouraged me to get involved with the winter play.” “From there, and with the support of Mr. (Mark) Duray , Mrs. (Marcia) Murphy , and the rest of the fine arts department, I continued my acting journey throughout my time at Guerin Catholic, starring in several plays & musicals, competing in improv through ComedySportz, and even co-directing Little Shop of Horrors, the 2018 Student Studio show. “If I had attended a larger high school, I never would have had the opportunity to take a risk and try something new that has changed the whole trajectory of my life. I am eternally grateful for all of my Guerin Catholic teachers and peers who have encouraged and supported me throughout the years.” n

packed with hiking, camping, and skiing, and she captures all of it with her camera. When she can carve out some freetime, she also loves to paint, sculpt, and build with various media. n

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THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO BE A G OLDEN EA G LE . . . IN ATHLETICS! Guerin Catholic’s campus continues to evolve with the addition of the Fine Arts and Wellness Center. Our student body remains at capacity and our school community remains as vibrant as ever. The GC athletic teams have positioned themselves amongst the best in the conference, county and state. Over the past four years, Golden Eagle athletic teams have claimed six state championships and an additional eight state finals’ appearances. This past spring, the Girls Lacrosse and Boys Golf teams competed in the State Finals, while twin sisters Anna Kolb ’26 and Katie Kolb ’26 competed in the Girls Tennis State Finals in June. Bailey Freese ’24 , Katie Kolb ’26 , Claire Milam ’24 and Brinna Wolf ’27 qualified for the Track and Field State Finals in the 4x800 meter relay. The Class of 2024 sent 29 student athletes to play a sport in college. The momentum continued this fall as Girls Golf advanced out of Sectional for the fourth time in seven years and was able to claim the Circle City Conference Championship for the ninth straight year. Luke Moster ’25 was the individual champion at the Circle City Conference Cross Country meet as the Boys’ Cross Country team finished runner-up. Luke and Taylor Tragesser ’28 both qualified for the Cross Country State Finals. The Competition Cheerleading team qualified for the State Finals under the leadership of first year coach, Les Stella . The Golden Eagle Football team made local and state headlines in the game against Brebeuf Jesuit in Week 4. Quarterback Malcolm Houze ’25 passed for 638 yards and WR Hayden Cler ’25 caught six touchdowns and finished with 26 receptions, setting state and program records in the process. With the Wellness Center addition, the expectations will continue to grow for Guerin Catholic Athletics. This new space will further allow GC student-athletes to realize their God-given gifts and usher in opportunities to harness those expectations into unprecedented growth. As we look to the next 20 years, we move forward with gratitude of those who have laid the foundation, humility for the challenges ahead and a deep trust in the divine providence afforded to the school since its inception in 2004. The best is yet to come! Go Golden Eagles!

Ryan Davis, Director of Athletics

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MITCH ROBINSON ’13

MADISON HAR G RAVE ’15

Mitch Robinson ’13 is currently the Media Manager for the Supercars Championship in Australia, but his love of sharing sports with the public started at GC. Supercars is the most popular form of motorsport in Australia. Speaking broadly, it could be described as Australia’s version of NASCAR, though there are a number of differences between the two. “I live on the Gold Coast in Queensland and my role is to teach the world about racing and persuade them to become fans. I work closely with race teams and drivers, to show off the sport to as many people as possible.” Mitch helps Supercars promote race events. The largest of these events is the Bathurst 1000, a 1000-kilometer race around a track set on a small mountain a few hours west of Sydney. “We hold around 12-15 race events each year across Australia and New Zealand.” While at Guerin Catholic, Mitch was a part of the school’s Sports Broadcasting Club. “I got my start in sports broadcasting with Coach (Jeff) Buckner calling basketball games, during my junior year at GC. I was on the call for the whole run to the Golden Eagles’ first Boys’ Basketball State Championship in 2012, which in hindsight is pretty cool,” said Mitch. He learned vital sports marketing skills that he still uses in his career today. “Sports broadcasting helped me build skills I actually use quite often these days.” Mitch studied Communications with a minor in Marketing at Ball State University. In 2017, he graduated and relocated to Australia to begin his career in motorsports marketing. “The cliched phrase of ‘no two days are the same’ applies here. At the end of the day, I’m living in one of the most fascinating countries in the world, traveling to some of its coolest places, and doing cool stuff with race cars, all while getting paid to do it!” n

Madison Hargrave ’15 currently serves as Assistant Gymnastics Coach at Clemson University in South Carolina. “After competing as a student athlete for the University of North Carolina, I transitioned into coaching as a graduate assistant at NC State.” In 2022, Madison joined Clemson University after they announced the addition of gymnastics as a women’s sport, with the inaugural season set for 2024. Madison’s first year at Clemson was a hybrid role, in which she took care of various operational and business functions. “By 2023, I officially became an assistant coach, focusing primarily on the floor event as we prepared for our first competitive season. Our first season exceeded all expectations. Our incredible fan support was overwhelming—nearly every home meet was sold out, with an average attendance of over 8,500 fans per event.” Clemson finished 8th in the country for attendance, which was a remarkable accomplishment for a new program. Throughout most of the season, they were ranked nationally and peaked at 19th in the country. The team also made an impressive showing at the ACC Conference Championships, finishing in second place. “As the floor event coach, I am especially proud that our team ranked 16th nationally in this event.” “As I reflect on my journey, I find that my leadership style and coaching philosophy are deeply rooted in my experiences at Guerin Catholic. The teachers, staff, friends, and coaches I encountered there all played an important role in shaping who I am today, both as a person and a coach. I am incredibly grateful for my time at Guerin Catholic and proud to have been a Golden Eagle!” n

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BRID G ET G ALLA G HER ’23

JACOB MODLESKI ’23

Bridget Gallagher ’23 is currently a sophomore at the University of Notre Dame where she runs cross country and track. This fall, she competed in her first season of cross country for the Irish, having redshirted her freshman year due to injury and to save eligibility. “As a member of the cross country and track team at Notre Dame, I work hard to improve as both a runner and a person. Despite facing injuries and hardships, I feel that God has provided me with numerous opportunities to use my gifts to become a better teammate and runner.” Bridget considers it a true blessing to compete at this level and strives to use her abilities to bring glory to God. “My teammates are some of my best friends, and my coaches care about me as a person. Just like Guerin Catholic, Notre Dame has been a strong support system.” One of her most cherished memories from high school is running in the cross-country Semi-State as a team during her senior year. Although she advanced individually, she wanted to also qualify as a team. “The team was composed of my closest friends, and everyone had worked diligently throughout the season. I will never forget the moment when their coaches announced the results and confirmed that they were advancing as a team. Knowing that Regionals would be the most competitive meet leading to State, we felt confident about their chances”. This moment remains her favorite due to the genuine joy shared among her teammates, coaches, and the friends and family who came to support them. Though her journey may not always appear linear, Bridget trusts that God has a plan for her. She is committed to using the gifts He has given her to become the best runner she can be, relying on her support system as a solid foundation, just as she has done since she started running. n

Jacob Modleski ’23 is a sophomore currently playing golf for the University of Notre Dame. After completing the fall season, he will resume the second half of the season in the Spring of 2025. “I’ve absolutely loved participating in collegiate athletics so far and can’t wait to continue again soon!” Jacob won two collegiate events during his freshmen year at Notre Dame— “The Folds of Honor Collegiate” and the “Johnnie-O”, where he earned his first collegiate individual win. The Fighting Irish made it to the NCAA tournament at La Costa in May 2024 for the first time in 68 years! Jacob also had success in two amateur events, including the prestigious “Jones Cup Invitational,” where he entered as an alternate and won the event in January 2024. That win earned him an automatic exemption into the RSM Classic, a PGA tour event, which was played in Sea Island GA, Nov 21-24, 2024. He also made the final eight of this year’s US Amateur which earns him an exemption into next year’s US AM as well. Jacob and the Notre Dame golf team won two events this fall—the Canadian Collegiate Invitational and their own Fighting Irish Classic. They will commence their team schedule again in February 2025. n

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Alumni News

THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO BE A G OLDEN EA G LE . . . As we developed our Impact Magazine theme this year, I couldn’t help but reflect on the unforgettable memories that we all share from our time at Guerin Catholic. Truth be told, it’s always been great to be a Golden Eagle! As alumni, we’ve had the privilege of witnessing the school’s history unfold—building traditions and shaping the culture that makes Guerin Catholic so special. While I’m proud of our past, I’m equally proud to see how the spirit of GC continues to live on through our alumni network. Whether you’re near or far, there’s always a place for you in the ongoing story of our school. The newly established Office of Alumni Relations is excited to help you reconnect with your alma mater. From welcoming you back to The Nest for events, to helping you plan a reunion, or finding ways for you to serve our community, we’re here to help you stay connected to Guerin Catholic and to one another. MARK YOUR CALENDAR Check out the list of upcoming alumni events and consider joining us to reconnect in person or virtually. Your presence can help us keep the spirit of Guerin Catholic alive for future generations! STAY INFORMED We’ve made it easier than ever to stay connected with a Google Calendar that is packed with all the latest alumni events. If you’ve changed your contact information recently, please let us know—keeping your details updated ensures we can keep you in the loop with all the latest news. JOIN THE CONVERSATION If you haven’t already, join us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to share your updates, photos, and memories. Social media is a great way to stay in touch with the broader GC community and see what your classmates have been up to! If you have any questions, ideas, or would like more information on upcoming events, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our alumni network is only as strong as the connections we continue to make. St. Theodore Guerin, Pray for us!

STAFF RETREAT ALUMNI PANEL At the 2024 Guerin Catholic Faculty and Staff Retreat in August, four alumni— Katie (Moran) Stark ’10 , Laila (Dilts) Ford ’16 , Drew Cobb ’17 , and Christian Corrao ’18 —shared their personal journeys, reflecting on their time at GC, their experiences in college and their careers, and how their GC foundation has shaped their lives. Their insightful stories helped our teachers reflect on the school’s first 20 years and sparked meaningful conversations as goals were set for the year ahead. The panel connected afterward with alumni currently serving at the school as faculty and staff members— Rebecca (Zatkulak) Schafer ’15 (Math teacher) , Kathleen (Wannemuehler) Prohaska ’13 (Alumni Relations Specialist) , Billy Thompson ’11 (Theology teacher) , Ellen (Rochford) Slaney ’12 (Science teacher) , Shannon (Murray) Strong ’07 (Visual Arts teacher) , and Sarah (Downing) Moss ’17 (Science teacher) . n

HOMECOMIN G TAIL G ATE On October 4th, the school’s annual Homecoming tailgate welcomed over 75 guests for an evening of fun. The event featured a delicious Chick-fil-A dinner, building tours, and a kids’ tent with face painting and bubbles. Following the tailgate, alumni enjoyed complimentary admission to the game, where they cheered on the Golden Eagles! Above, Kelleen (Haddad) ’15 and Kevin Coltrain ’14 brought their future Golden Eagles to the homecoming festivities. n

Kathleen (Wannemuehler) Prohaska ’13 Alumni Relations Specialist

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[2008] Alisha Hacherl married Brandon Tambourine in February 2024. They are due with their first child in December 2024. 1 Sam and Alex (Stanley) Titus welcomed their 6th child, Gabriel Charles, in August 2024. 2 Liz (Pletzke) Waggoner and her husband Andrew have been married since 2017 and have two children— Brynn (3) and Palmer (1). 3 [2009] Desiree Haines pursued her lifelong dream of becoming a chef. “I couldn’t be happier!” 4 [2010] Courtney (Kincaid) Ewbank and her husband Nicholas welcomed their first son, Liam, in June 2024. 5

Christi Fonfara graduated from a Paralegal Certification program in May, and works as a litigation paralegal. 6 Katie (Regan) and Sam ’08 Gardner celebrated nine years of marriage in 2024 and have three children— Kendall (5), Quinn (3) and Will (1). 7 Katie (Stark) Moran and her husband Joe welcomed daughter Molly Catherine in July 2024. [2012] Cal Lyons and wife Cat (Dillon) ’13 welcomed their daughter Emerson “Emmie” Rae Lyons in March 2024. 8 [2013] Rachel (Carr) Edwards and her husband Thomas recently celebrated six years of marriage and have a daughter, Clara Rae (2). 9

Emily Marske married Matt Flynn in July 2024. Classmates celebrating with the couple included Carly Munson ’13 , Anna (Stark) Busald ’13 , Nora (Sego) Warnke ’13 , Eliane (Fossati) Paz ’13 , Kristen (Santucci) Coleman ’13 , Isabel (Mazanowski) Armstrong ’13 and Anna Zigmond ’13 . 10 Theresa Spech dos Santos completed her Emergency Medicine residency with IU and started as an Emergency Medicine Physician with Ascension St. Vincent hospitals. 11 Henry Stevens married Peri Kane in October of 2022. They recently bought their first home in Fishers. 12 Hanna (Gelov) Wroblewski and her husband Michael welcomed their third child Blaise in May 2024. 13

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Alumni News

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[2017] Logan Gauker recently started a new role as a Program Lead at Rolls-Royce on a new engine program for the Army. Matthew and Reiley (Harrington) Godfrey welcomed daughter Mary Rose Caroline in March 2023. “She fills our life with joy and fun and we are so grateful for the gift of her life!” 22 Oksana Oleshchuk graduated with a Doctorate of Occupational Therapy in May 2024. 23

Marcos and Maggie (Godleski) Zatkulak welcomed their first child, Eleanor Grace, in June 2024. 14 [2014] Rachel Stephanak recently got engaged to Mark Williamson. They are planning a July 2025 wedding. 15 Claire Thompson married Shaughn Phillips in June 2024. [2015] Rachel (Yuska) Bott and her husband Daniel welcomed their first child, Cameron Christopher, in September 2024. 16 Maggie Rochford is living in New England and working as a sales rep for Roche Diagnostics. She attended a conference in Portland, Maine in October 2024 and met up with two fellow GC alumni— Jake Labus ’18 and Ben Norris ’16 . 17

Victoria Wannemuehler married Jake Neidigh in June 2024. She serves as a Pediatric Registered Dietitian at Riley Children’s Hospital. 18 [2016] Sadie Burrows married Brendan Marz in May 2022 and welcomed a son, Theodore, in April 2023. 19 Emily Eaton will be running the Boston Marathon in April 2025 alongside her dad, Ron Eaton, with Back on my Feet Charities. This will mark the completion of their Abbott World Marathon Majors journey. The pair also ran the Tokyo Marathon in March 2024. 20 Braden Kimmel married Paige Curley in 2024. Abbigail (Wampler) Leverenz and her husband Nick welcomed their second child Charlotte in March 2024. She joins big sister, Sophia (3). 21

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[2018] Jake Labus married Claudia Gruett in April 2024, and resides in Portland, Maine. 24 [2019] James and Jeanne (Fletcher) Maguire welcomed their first child, Nora Jean, in early November. Maddie Worcester completed her first year as a semi-pro dancer on the Emerald Spirit Dance Team represented by the Lebanon (IN) TBL Basketball League. 25 [2020] Eden James married Evan Hassett in August 2024. 26 Blake Kimmel released her first single as a professional singer this summer, after graduating from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami in May. Her song is titled ‘You Could Be’ and is available to stream on Spotify and Apple Music. Lauren Wagoner is completing her student teaching in art education at St. Maria Goretti Catholic School. She will graduate from Marian University in December 2024. [2021] Calli McGee is a senior at Indiana University, studying to become a pediatrician. She has contributed to 4 research studies, two of which have been published. She also works as a medical aide for IU football and leads a class at Meadowood Nursing home. 27

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G C ALUMNI RECONNECT IN AIR FORCE TRAININ G In the bustling halls of Guerin Catholic High School, two young athletes, Connor Howard ’12 and Joe Taylor ’14 , had no clue that their lives would intersect beyond their outside of the walls of their alma mater. Both strong students and athletes, they participated on the track and field team, then graduated to pursue degrees at Central Michigan University and the Air Force Academy respectively. Years later, Divine Providence would weave their paths together once more, this time in the cockpit of an MQ-9. After completing their respective military training, Connor and Joe found themselves assigned to the same squadron. “Neither of us knew that we were both in the Air Force doing the same job until we ran into each other at work,” said Joseph. “We are both currently MQ-9 pilots at the 482nd Attack Squadron based in South Carolina.” Their shared GC experience created an immediate bond between the two. “We are both proud to be Golden Eagle alumni!” n

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Class Notes reflects news received through August 2024. Guerin Catholic High School staff have the final determination on the publication of submissions.

St. Theodore G uerin High School 15300 G ray Road Noblesville, IN 46062

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BLIN G O Saturday, April 26, 2025 G OLDEN EA G LE CLUB G OLF OUTIN G Chatham Hills Monday, May 19, 2025 CLASS OF 2025 BACCALAUREATE MASS G uerin Catholic Wednesday, May 21, 2025 CLASS OF 2025 COMMENCEMENT The Palladium, Carmel Friday, May 23, 2025

Wednesday, February 12, 2025 G UERIN CATHOLIC G ALA Ritz Charles, Carmel Friday, February 21, 2025 SPRIN G MUSICAL: G ODSPELL

March 20-22, 27-29, 2025 G C DAY OF G IVIN G Thursday, April 24, 2025

BALL STATE UNIVERSITY, MUNCIE Tuesday, March 25 UNIV. OF NOTRE DAME / ST. MARY’S / HOLY CROSS, SOUTH BEND Tuesday, April 1

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