FALCONS ON THE FRONTLINE Rising above the pandemic - FalconSummer/Fall 2020 - Digital asset management for teams

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FALCONS ON THE FRONTLINE Rising above the pandemic - FalconSummer/Fall 2020 - Digital asset management for teams
Falcon
                                                                        Once a

                                                                                       Summer/Fall 2020
Photo Credit: Lisa O'Hagen

                                   FALCONS ON THE
                                                            FRONTLINE
                                  Rising above the pandemic
                             Plus, Coach Mif retires and a new "Legacy Garden" houses old alumni bricks
FALCONS ON THE FRONTLINE Rising above the pandemic - FalconSummer/Fall 2020 - Digital asset management for teams
Falcon
                                             Once a

                                                                                                                         Advancement Office
                                                                                                                       Colleen (Beard) Johnson '00
       SUMMER/FALL 2020
                                                                                                                        Director of Advancement

       Editorial                                                                                                       Marie (Stawasz) Boyle '07
       Aubri (Marchetti) McNamara '97                                                                           Director of Marketing & Communications
       Colleen (Beard) Johnson '00
                                                                                                                             Matthew Saxer
                                                                                                                          Director of Admissions
       Design & Layout                                                                                                                                            Since 1950, the Church of the Divine Child has been a strong Catholic presence
       Marie (Stawasz) Boyle '07                                                                                    Aubri (Marchetti) McNamara '97
                                                                                                                                                                  in Dearborn and today remains one of the largest and most vibrant Catholic
                                                                                                                     Alumni Relations Coordinator
                                                                                                                                                                  parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit. Together, Divine Child Elementary
       Printer                                                                                                                                                    School, founded in 1953, and Divine Child High School, founded in 1958,
                                                                                                                            Olivia Doyle '13
       Progressive Printing                                                                                               Marketing Coordinator                   have grown into the largest co-educational Catholic school community in
                                                                                                                                                                  Michigan.
       Once a Falcon magazine is published semi-                                                                            Connie DiMarco
       annually by the Divine Child Alumni Association                                                                  Special Events Coordinator
                                                                                                                                                                  With a history spanning more than 60 years, Divine Child High School has
       for graduates and friends of Divine Child.                                                                      High School Leadership                     imparted “goodness with knowledge” to generations of students and continues
                                                                    ON THE COVER                                            Eric Haley '98                        to provide a Catholic education emphasizing spiritual, academic, social, and
                                                                    14 Coach Tony Mifsud retires                               Principal
                                                                                                                                                                  creative excellence. Over 11,000 alumni have gone forward to build success
CORRECTIONS: WINTER 2020 ISSUE |                                    18 Alumni fight the pandemic                                                                  on these values. Today, over 850 Divine Child High School students enjoy
DCAA offers sincere apologies to classmate Michael Bourlier '63                                                             Jessica Spearman
                                                                    26 Divine Child Legacy Garden                           Assistant Principal                   the opportunity to study numerous academic disciplines, compete in various
and his family for the printing of misinformation. We are pleased
                                                                                                                                                                  sports, and participate in many extracurricular activities, all built on a strong
to share that Michael remains well after making a turnaround                                                                Matthew Mooney
upon receiving the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.              HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES                                                                           spiritual foundation.
                                                                                                                            Assistant Principal
                                                                    07 Spiritually
Ryan Schreiber `02 and wife Amanda welcomed their second            08 Academically                                       Alumni Association
son, Alistair John, born on December 9, 2019, weighing 6 lbs 2      09 Creatively                               The Alumni Association is built on a strong
                                                                                                                                                                                                       A NOTE FROM
oz, measuring 18 inches long, Alistair joins big brother Luke (18                                              foundation of dedication and a belief in the
                                                                    11 Socially                                 motto Once a Falcon, Always a Falcon. The                                              THE ALUMNI OFFICE
months).
                                                                    12 Athletics                             Association actively promotes the family tradition
                                                                                                                       of continuing a Divine Child                                                    What a Spring we had! So many of our usual
Questions or feedback?                                              ELEMENTARY UPDATES                                   High School education.                                                        events were cancelled, ending our school
Call Us: 313-261-0891                                               35 DCES launches into digital learning                    Greg Cibor '89
                                                                                                                                                                                                       year abruptly. Just like that, the students
                                                                                                                                                                                                       and teachers packed up their lockers and
Email Us: advancement@divinechild.org                                                                                            President
                                                                                                                                                                                                       classrooms and school work started from
                                                                    ALUMNI UPDATES                                   Karen (Mulholland) Gessler '89                                                    home. Our Falcon family did it with style
                                                                    16 Divine Child Golf Classic returns                     Vice President                                                            and grace. So many important roles were
    Connect with Us!

                       /DivineChildSchools                          24 Alumni Updates                                                                                                                  needed to get us through a very tough time.
                                                                    25 In Memoriam                                         Mike Vecchioni ’72                                                          From the stay at home parent to the grocery
                       @DivineChildSch                                                                                         Treasurer                                                               store worker, Falcons showed their strength,
                                                                    26 Future Falcons - Babies of Alumni
                                                                                                                                                                                                       faith and perseverance. Falcon heroes were
                       @DivineChildFalcons                          28 Auction Recap                                         Katie Zakar '99
                                                                                                                                                                                                       everywhere. We don’t know what fall
                                                                    29 Homecoming 2020                                         Secretary
                                                                                                                                                                                                       2020 will bring us, but what we do know
                                                                    30 Alumni Giving: Legacy in Action                  Cheryl (Oros) Nelson ’75                                                       is that Divine Child will deliver a first class
                                                                    33 Legacy Falcons - Children of Alumni                                                        Aubri McNamara '97                   product. The DC community continues to be a
Publish an alumni update!                                                                                                  Member at Large
Share your stories and photos with us! Contact us on                                                                                                              Alumni Relations Coordinator         blessing to my family and I everyday. I love
                                                                                                                           Jennifer Topolski ’85                  313-216-0891 ext. 232                connecting with alumni, so please reach out
Facebook, Twitter or by email: amcnamara@divinechild.                                                                        Member at Large
                                                                                                                                                                  amcnamara@divinechild.org            with ideas, questions, updates, etc. Be well
org. For inclusion in the next issue, please submit updates                                                                                                                                            and God bless.
and articles no later than 12/15/20. All content submitted                                                                   Class Agents
becomes Divine Child property and may be edited prior to                                                           Alumni volunteers serving as liaisons
publication.                                                                                                     between their classmates and the DCAA.

2                                                                                                                                                                                     ONCE A FALCON, ALWAYS A FALCON                          3
FALCONS ON THE FRONTLINE Rising above the pandemic - FalconSummer/Fall 2020 - Digital asset management for teams
PARISH NEWS
                                                                                                                                                      Meet our new PRIESTS
                                                                                                                                                                                I grew up in a strong and loving Catholic family along      The thought of the priesthood first entered my mind
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            when I was ten, and it never really left me. As I grew, so
                                                                                                                                                                                with my seven sisters, where my parents homeschooled
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            did my understanding of what it means to be a priest,
                                                                                                                                                                                all eight of us. Though I always wished for a brother,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            and the sacrifices involved. I decided this was not for
                                                                                                                                                                                we were certainly never lonely, and are still very close.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            me. But God was persistent, and that thought, “be a
                                                                                                                                                                                I have always loved the outdoors: camping, hiking,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            priest,” remained with me despite my best efforts to
                                                                                                                                                                                fishing, etc. I also enjoy sports, and spent a good part
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            ignore it. Eventually I decided to follow this call, and
                                                                                                                                                                                of my childhood playing roller hockey with friends.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            after eight years of seminary I have by God’s grace
                                                                                                                                                                                Throughout high school, I spent the summers working

    A Message from
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            been ordained a priest. I cannot imagine a more joyful
                                                                                                                                                                                on a hay farm and in residential construction, while
                                                                                                                                                      | Fr. David Pellican                                                                  or fulfilling life for me.
                                                                                                                                                                                also raising pigs on the side.

OUR PASTOR                                                                                                                                                                     Hello everyone! I am so grateful and excited to be
                                                                                                                                                                               welcomed to Divine Child as one of your next associate
                                                                                                                                                                               pastors. Everything that I have ever heard about your
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            hockey all the way into college for Oakland University’s
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            club team. I may be a little slower but I have continued
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            to play weekly the past few years in men’s leagues. I
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            also like to golf, fly fish, ski, and go camping.
                                                                                                                                                                               parish is awesome! I have been an associate pastor
On Tuesday, May 19, Divine Child had its           concluding in a way that no one could have       events. You can sign up for text updates by                                at Our Lady of Sorrows in Farmington for the past four
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            I attended Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit
first public Masses after nine weeks where         imagined back in at the start of the school      texting the keyword DIVINECHILD to 84576.                                  years, which is how long I have been ordained as a
parishioners could not attend. It seemed like      year.                                                                                                                                                                                    for six years and was ordained on May 14, 2016. I
                                                                                                                                                                               priest. I am 35 years old and grew up in Oxford, MI
many months had passed since our last open                                                          The pandemic has created a worldwide                                                                                                    absolutely love being a priest and never in my wildest
                                                                                                                                                                               with my parents Paul and Judy and sister Katie who is
Mass. I felt like singing the Etta James song,     We were blessed to have our annual auction       crisis. We thank God that as St. Paul reminds                                                                                           dreams did I think I would ever end up doing what I
                                                                                                                                                                               just eleven months younger than me. I attended Oxford
“At Last!"                                         and our Divine Child Hall of Fame Induction      us in his Letter to the Romans, chapter 8:                                                                                              do. But it is amazing! I am ever grateful to live a life
                                                                                                                                                      | Fr. Paul Graney        Public Schools and graduated high school in 2003.
                                                   Ceremony and Tastefest. Both events were         “Nothing can separate us from the love of                                                                                               that brings peace, hope, and love to the people of
People look to see if any good is coming as a      great times for alumni and friends to gather.    Christ.” (Romans 8:35)                                                                                                                  the world, especially through the sacraments. I am
                                                                                                                                                                               I grew up playing a lot of sports but my favorites were
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            very much anticipating joining you on your journey as
result of the pandemic. One common theme           Thank you to all who attended and who                                                                                       hockey and football. My dad taught me how to skate
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            disciples of the Lord Jesus! I am praying for you, pray
that I hear concerns an increased hunger to        worked so hard to make them both successful!     Let us remember to pray for one another                                    when I was just 4 years old and I continued playing
return to Mass. When things return to where                                                         and all who are suffering at this time. Let us                                                                                          for me, and we will see each other soon!
there is no fear or need to social distance,         I think Divine Child comes in at a close       pray for all first responders and all who put

                                                                                                                                                                                                       Goodbye & thank you from
people will cherish the opportunity to attend      second. Although our parking lot is not full     themselves in harm’s way in order to serve
church and gather as a family. These were          for weekend Masses, you are welcome to           others. Their courage and dedication have
things that many of us used to take for            join us in person or via live streaming on our   been an inspiration.
granted.                                           Divine Child Facebook page. In addition

                                                                                                                                                                                                       FR. MATTHEW HOOD
                                                   to our regularly scheduled indoor Masses,        All of us are grateful for the many ways Fr.
It reminds me of a time when I was on vacation     weather permitting, we will have outdoor         Matt has added to the life of our parish. He
as a young boy. For some reason, drinking          Masses on our football field. The times for      will be missed by everyone. I will miss him
water had to be rationed. When I returned          these Masses are Sunday at 10:15 AM and          greatly! He has been a joy to serve with for                                                       scenarios in my mind, they always took       mind. I could never have imagined the
home about ten days later, I was so grateful       12:45 PM. People love the outdoor Masses!        the last year. I also thank God ahead of time                                                      place at Divine Child. I would imagine       blessing it has been to begin my priestly
to go to the faucet and get a drink of water.      They are a creative response to the need for     for the blessings that will be ours through the                                                    myself preaching from the ambo here in       life here at Divine Child these past
That appreciation of water stayed with me for      social distancing.                               ministries of our new associate pastors, Fr.          When I was studying to be a priest, I        our church, standing at the altar, sitting   three years. Now, as I prepare for my
at least ten years. When we reach the end                                                           Paul Graney and Fr. David Pellican.                   often would spend time daydreaming           in the confessional, and running around      new assignment at St. Lawrence Parish
of this pandemic, I pray we will always have                                                                                                              about different aspects of priesthood.       our beautiful schools. I was familiar with   in Utica, MI, I carry all of you in my
an increased love for attending church and             JOIN US FOR MASS                             I have come to the end of my first year as            I would imagine what it would look           the parish having visited a few times but    heart and prayers as I look back with
receiving the sacraments.                                                                           your pastor. I look forward to things getting         like to be saying Mass, preaching,           had no indication that this would be my      profound gratitude. I want to thank Fr.
                                                                   WEEKDAYS                         back to a safe and healthy normal. New                hearing confessions, spending time           first assignment. It was just something      Jim Bilot and Fr. Bob McCabe for their
We have to rely on teamwork in order to get                     6:30 AM | 8:30 AM                   York is known as the city that never sleeps.          with students and parishioners. It is a      that intuitively made sense to me that I     mentorship and example; the parish
the job done well in times of great difficulty.                    WEEKEND                          I was always impressed with Divine Child              natural part of seminary that as we talk     would end up here at Divine Child.           and school staffs, who I have been
This has certainly been the case in the last few                  SATURDAY                          Parish and Schools. Now, after seeing the             about the dimensions of priestly life that                                                privileged to serve alongside; the many
months at Divine Child.                                 8:30 AM | 4:30 PM + LIVE STREAM             magnificent response our Divine Child team            we also have images associated with          Looking back now, at the end of my time      students who have been through our
                                                                    SUNDAY                                                                                those thoughts. At that point, there was     here, it has been a profound grace for       doors, who have taken seriously their
                                                                                                    has made in these unprecedented times, I am
                                                            8 AM | 10 AM | 12:30 PM
Our principals, teachers, faculty, and the                                                          in awe. Thank you for all the ways that you           no way to predict where I would be           me as cloudy imaginings have become          call to be disciples of Christ; and the
                                                      + NEW OUTDOOR SUNDAY MASSES
entire Divine Child team have responded with                  10:15 AM | 12:45 PM                   support Divine Child schools and our entire           assigned as a priest. The whole process      reality. What were then only ideas have      whole parish community, for inspiring
wisdom, courage, perseverance, creativity,                     (weather permitting)                 Divine Child family.                                  for new priestly assignments doesn’t         now become concrete experiences              me through their lives of holiness.
and compassion. As always, excellence                                                                                                                     even begin until soon before ordination,     in my heart and mind.        Real faces,
is the expectation for every aspect of our         Our Advancement office is doing a fine job       God's Peace and Joy,                                  at the end of seminary formation. The        events, joys, trials, new opportunities,     God bless,
students’ education, despite our school year       of keeping people informed of Divine Child                                                             strange thing was, without even doing        and relationships have taken the place       Fr. Matt
                                                                                                                                                          so intentionally, for all those imaginary    of hazy expectations in the back of my
4
FALCONS ON THE FRONTLINE Rising above the pandemic - FalconSummer/Fall 2020 - Digital asset management for teams
SPIRITUALLY

                                                                                                                                                                      MAY

                                                                                                                                                   HIGH SCHOOL NEWS
   A Message from                                                                                                                                                     Crowning
OUR PRINCIPAL                                                                                                                                                         The tradition continues
While the school year ended without the           Jessica Spearman, has been named interim          students. I believe that our Falcons will                         Every year on May 1st, in our             represents the qualities of the Virgin    to tune in for a live stream of the
celebrations we had planned and hoped             principal for the 2020-2021 school year,          take this as an opportunity to answer what                        Catholic tradition and at DCHS, we        Mary; chastity, gentleness and            service. Crowning court members
for, we still found several opportunities to      while Mrs. Christine (Ervin) Geoghegan            the Lord calls us to do. We have such a                           come together to honor Mary, the          obedience to the will of God.             prerecorded themselves reading the
celebrate and recognize our graduating            ‘95, the current leader of our counseling         strong community of students, parents and                         Mother of the Divine Child.                                                         traditional reflections which were
seniors. We were able to have a Senior            department, will join the administrative          staff who truly believe in our high school                                                                  The members of the court this year        spliced in during the live stream.
Parade, Honors Night, and we even had             team as an interim assistant principal for the    motto of ‘Goodness with Knowledge.’ I                              In preparation for the crowning          were Emily Walker, Regina Arriola,        Emily Walker - who was selected
some fun with the Faculty Revue. Although         2020-2021 school year.                            am confident that under the leadership                            ceremony, the senior girls are given      Avery Budz, Shannon Pavlak and            by her class to crown Mary - was
the final days looked very different from                                                           of Fr. Bob McCabe, Mrs. Spearman,                                 the task of voting for the young          Jewell Redman.                            onsite at the church to crown the
previous years, our Class of 2020 is              Both Mrs. Spearman and Mrs. Geoghegan             Mr. Mooney and Mrs. Geoghegan, our                                women in their class who will be                                                    Blessed Mother.
prepared to go into the world and do              have been members of the DCHS                     students will continue to do good work and                        on the May Crowning court. These          While the school community was
amazing things! I can also confidently say        community for many years and understand           carry that with them upon graduation.                             women are chosen by their peers           unable to gather in-person for
that the faculty and staff will be ready to       the unique qualities that constitute a Divine                                                                       based on who they think best              the ceremony, students were able
take on the challenges that lie ahead as we       Child education. Moreover, they have              In Romans 15:13 we read, “May the God
plan and prepare to educate our students          worked at a high-level to research, explore       of hope fill you with all joy and peace in
next year.                                        and formulate the strategic development           believing, so that you may abound in hope

It is bittersweet that I share with you that I
                                                  of our 2020-2021 Return to School Plan,
                                                  making them well-prepared to hit the
                                                                                                    by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Divine
                                                                                                    Child High School has been and will
                                                                                                                                                                                                             Encountering Christ on Retreat
am taking a new position as an associate          ground running this fall and discern plans        be a place where hope is added to the                                                                    This year we were fortunate enough          encountered during the retreat.
superintendent of the Archdiocese of              for the future. I am grateful that Divine Child   foundation of who we are. I know it has                                                                  to complete the retreats for all of the
Detroit. In this new role, I will be overseeing   will have continuity of leadership within this    been for me. Let this hope be with each of                                                               classes before the recent crisis and        This year’s retreat was once again
Catholic schools in the AOD’s south and           transition.                                       us as we move forward on our journey to                                                                  closing of schools. The retreat for the     made more special by the tremendous
central regions and working with their                                                              contribute to the world.                                                                                 seniors was held in November which          support that we had from our priests.
pastors and principals to ensure the long         The situation we are in today is still a period                                                                                                            truly turned out to be a blessing. The      Our pastor Fr. Bob, our associate
term viability of parochial schools. One          filled with questions around what the future      Eric Haley ’98                                                                                           seniors have been forced to miss out        pastor Fr. Matt, and several other area
of our current assistant principals, Mrs.         days will look like for each of us and our        Principal                                                                                                on so many of the key events of their       priests made the trip up and back both
                                                                                                                                                                                                             final year at DCHS; we are glad that        nights, one night for each half of the
                                                                                                                                                                                                             they were able to experience this one.      senior class, to offer the Sacrament
                                       MR. NANNINI SAYS GOODBYE TO DCHS                                                                                                                                      The senior retreat is an overnight
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         of Reconciliation. Reconciliation was
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         offered during Eucharistic Adoration.
                                       As I move on from Divine Child, I look back          Make sure to take advantage of every learning                                                                    retreat that takes place at the St.         Each student in their own heart
                                       on how the years here have been made bright          opportunity that is placed in your path. Take                                                                    Francis Retreat Center in Dewitt. The       knows best what the retreat meant to
                                       by the staff and students who walk these halls.      time to reflect and always move forward. We                                                                      retreat center is owned and run by the      them, but to see a large number of
                                       I want to thank the students for the memories        are all called by our Creator to accomplish                                                                      Diocese of Lansing. It is a wonderful       the seniors taking advantage of this
                                       and the learning that we have shared these last      some purpose to help bring about the Kingdom.                                                                    facility that is large enough to house      beautiful sacrament while the rest were
                                       couple of years. Please know that each one of        Listen to that still, quiet voice, and discover what                                                             and feed our group. It also has large       before the Holy Eucharist lifting their
                                       you have made an impact; I have learned from         it is you are called to do. As I have said, there                                                                grounds for the students to enjoy and       voices in songs of praise announced
                                       you as much as you have allowed me to teach          is great peace in being who you were intended                                                                    explore. A walk in the woods can            the presence of the Holy Spirit.
                                       you.                                                 to be. I have found it twice, and my most ardent                                                                 be very helpful when reflecting on
                                                                                            hope is that you do, too.                                                                                        the insights and emotions that are

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               WWW.DIVINECHILDHIGHSCHOOL.ORG 7
FALCONS ON THE FRONTLINE Rising above the pandemic - FalconSummer/Fall 2020 - Digital asset management for teams
ACADEMICALLY                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            CREATIVELY

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Violet Audi '20

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Regina Arriola '20
Senior year and graduation are rites of passage for American youth. And the global pandemic could not take that away from the Class of
2020. While Divine Child High School’s Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation Ceremony were postponed, our seniors completed their
last semester of high school with determination, focus and an eye on the future. This experience - and all the experiences they’ve had
during their four years at Divine Child - have shaped their perspective and molded them into Christian leaders. As these Falcons prepare
to spread their wings and soar into the unknown, we are confident Divine Child has prepared them to not only take on the world, but more
importantly, to change it.

STATS ABOUT THE CLASS OF 2020
                                                                                                                                             Art Show
                                    102                                                   98%                                                                       goes online    Submitted by Walt Grysko '07
                                   STUDENTS                                           OF GRADUATES
                                                                  $10 MILLION IN                                    41% OF STUDENTS
                    217          GRADUATING
                                 WITH HONORS                      SCHOLARSHIPS
                                                                     OFFERED
                                                                                      ARE ATTENDING
                                                                                         COLLEGE
                                                                                                                    GRADUATED WITH
                                                                                                                       AP CREDIT
                                                                                                                                             The outbreak of COVID-19                                               I am especially proud of them all and yes, it pains me very much
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    not to have our show like we traditionally do. But, I can say with
             GRADUATES
                                                                                                                                             has made normal change                                                 100% certainty that they, this year’s seniors, have been one of
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    the best classes I have taught in my 10 years at Divine Child. I

                                                                                                                                             drastically different for our
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    hope they all take pride in that! They make not only myself but all
THE TOP OF THEIR CLASS                                                                                                                                                                                              former students of this school proud to be fellow alumni.

                                                                                                                                             Falcon family ... we certainly felt it in the Fine                        Best of Luck to these graduating seniors
                                                                                                                                             Arts Department! From teaching remotely to the cancellation of the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       pursing art in college: Natalie Dziadzio - Pratt
                                                                                                                                             Art Show Gala to the Spring Musical being postponed, we felt the
    VALEDICTORIAN

                                                   SALUTATORIAN

                                                                                                     SALUTATORIAN

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Institute; Ananda Ray - School of the Art
                                                                                                                                             heavy blow of this virus as a school community. But, I am proud of
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Institute of Chicago; & Clare Garner - Michigan
                                                                                                                                             how our school community rallied to do right by our students.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       State University.
                                                                                                                                             While the normal school-wide art show was canceled, we worked to
                                                                                                                                             produce a digital art show highlighting the tremendous talent of our
                                                                                                                                             graduating seniors. It was very important to us that these young men

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              VIEW THE ONLINE
                                                                                                                                             and women have an opportunity to share their artwork with their

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 ART SHOW
                                                                                                                                             loved ones and the entire DC community! We felt it was important
                          Sarah Gawlik                                Eizabeth Orozco                                Kathryn Wolney          that they would have some way to be acknowledged for their work
                                                                                                                                             and the countless hours put in making our Fine Arts program what it
Congratulations to Valedictorian Sarah Gawlik. Sarah will be attending the University of Houston Honors College. While attending DC,         is today.
Sarah was active in Quizbowl, Link Crew, Latin and Greek Club, and Marching Band. The class of 2020 has two Salutatorians, Elizabeth
Orozco and Kathryn Wolney. In the fall, Elizabeth will be attending the University of Notre Dame and Kathryn the University of Michigan
Dearborn. Elizabeth was a 4-year member of the sideline/ competitive cheerleading team and a 2-year member of the track and field team.
She also served as Varsity Club Executive Board treasurer, and a member of the National Honor Society. Kathryn participated in band, stage
crew, Spanish Honor Society, and National Honor Society. All three women represent Divine Child in a positive light. They have been model
students achieving academic excellence while remaining active in arts, athletics, clubs and more.
8                                                                                                                                                                                                                    ONCE A FALCON, ALWAYS A FALCON                           9
FALCONS ON THE FRONTLINE Rising above the pandemic - FalconSummer/Fall 2020 - Digital asset management for teams
CREATIVELY                                                                                                                                                                                                         SOCIALLY
                  SPRING MUSICAL:                                                                                                                                                      ROBO FALCONS: ROLL OUT
                                                                                                                                                                                       Divine Child HS competed this year in the FIRST Robotics
                  Joseph & the Amazing                                                                                                                                                 Competition (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science
                                                                                                                                                                                       and Technology). Team #8179, the Divine Child Robo

                  Technicolor Dreamcoat                                                                                                                                                Falcons are comprised of 11 robotics students, 15 business
                                                                                                                                                                                       students, and 8 mentors (5 are DC Alumni). Students were
                 The last two weekends in March would have ushered in Divine Child’s spring musical                                                                                    exposed to problem solving, CAD design, electronics,
                 featuring students from first through twelth grade: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Joseph                                                                                     C programming, vision systems, community outreach,
                 and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” At least 150 dedicated students,                                                                                              fundraising and entrepreneurial skills.
                 parents, faculty and staff, and alumni of the Divine Child community worked
                 together since November, putting together costumes, props, choreography, live                                                                                         “This program is amazing! It has allowed me to explore
                 music, makeup, arranging meals, and of course, rehearsing on-stage. The high                                                                                          different fields and helped me decide to study Computer
                 school production staff of Robert Bush (conductor, producer, technical director,                                                                                      Engineering in college,” said senior Matteo Ciavaglia
                 and set design), Elisa Noeske '00 (director, producer, choreography, makeup),                                                                                         '20. These Robo Falcons designed and built a robot in 8
                 Paul Abbott (music direction), Walt Grysko '07 (art director), Colleen Johnson '00                                                                                    weeks. We competed at the Southfield District Competition
                 (prop director) and Emily Castine and Ken Overwater '99 (assistant directors),                                                                                        where the team won the Rookie All-Star Award celebrating
                 were having the most incredible time working together on this joyous show. Sung                                                                                       a solid team partnership! On the field the team made it
                 entirely through without dialogue, “Joseph” also marked the first time in four years                                                                                  to the quarterfinals from a field of 39 teams. The team is
                 that the elementary school students were participating. Our high schoolers worked                                                                                     excited by its success this year and preparing for next year’s
                 extra hard to be present at rehearsals and work with the elementary students too.                                                                                     competition! Go Robo Falcons!
                 We would be remiss without taking some time to acknowledge our wonderful
                 seniors who will hopefully have their moment on the Divine Child stage again.
                 Many of our seniors are planning on performing after high school or minoring in a
                 theatre program. Others will pursue a music major. On- stage we had 14 seniors,        8-PEAT FORENSICS CHAMPS
                 four of which have performed on the Divine Child stage since they were in grade        The Eight-Peat defending State Championship Forensics team competed in 5
                 school: one of our narrators, Emily Walker, our Joseph- Ben Noethlich, Pharaoh         MIFA tournaments before their season was canceled due to COVID-19. Coach
                 played by Connor Kozlowski and the hairy Ishmaelite played by Matthew Balash.          Mrs. Tar had high hopes for the team, but unfortunately the season was cut
                                                                       Submitted by Elisa Noeske '00    short. The team was led by 4 seniors; Sam Dudek, Jana Rida, Isabella Folloso
                                                                                                        and Lauren Grawburg. Sam is a 4 year member, team treasurer and co-captain.
                                                                                                        Jana is a 4 year member, team spirit leader and co-captain. Isabella is a 3 year
                         CONGRATULATIONS SENIORS:                                                       member, team spirit leader and co-captain and Lauren is a 3 year member.
                         Stella Arsenault, Matthew Balash, Kathryn Doyle, Luke Duncan,                  Divine Child wishes these students the best of luck.
                         Brodie Kielb, Connor Kozlowski, Danielle Lewis, Nick Maccani,
                          Rhonwyn Martin, Ben Noethlich, Jana Rida, Jonathan Sadler,
                                        Emily Walker and Hannah Young

                                                                                                                                                                              SENIOR CAR PARADE
                                                                                                                                                                              To mark the final day of school for the Class of 2020, senior parents

Making music in the Music                 City                                                                                                                                organized a senior car parade! When the final school bell rang on
                                                                                                                                                                              Friday, May 12 at 2:30 pm, the seniors along with many parents
                                                                                                                                                                              and family members were lined up in the student parking lot with
                                                                                                                                                                              their cars decorated! The bell signaled the start of the parade,
                                In February, our students traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, for our                                                                           when the seniors would leave school together one last time. The
                                annual winter band trip. It was a super fun trip - not only did we                                                                            Dearborn Police lead the parade of cars around the homecoming
                                see the sites of Nashville, we also performed at the Grand Ole                                                                                parade route. Along with Father Bob and Father Matt, families,
                                Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame! It was an awesome                                                                                    friends, neighbors and faculty lined the streets cheering for the
                                experience and trip to remember.                                                                                                              students. The parade finished by driving through the semi circle
                                                                                                                                                                              of the front entrance and passing the DCHS marquee. After a
                                Moving into March, our pit orchestra musicians had just moved                                                                                 long eight week quarantine, the students and families were filled
                                into the pit for tech week of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor                                                                              with much emotion - there were so many smiles on everyone, as
                                Dreamcoat as the shut down began. Even though the rest of the                                                                                 they were filled with joy, happiness, and excitement to see one
                                school year didn't end as we hoped, we still kept the music making                                                                            another again. The DC Senior Parade was even featured on a few
                                flowing with video and audio submissions, and we all are looking                                                                              newscasts that night!
                                forward to this fall!

10                                                                                                                                                                                   WWW.DIVINECHILDHIGHSCHOOL.ORG 11
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TEAM UPDATES
                                                                                                             BOYS LACROSSE was looking to have a strong and successful                    GIRLS SOCCER team, prior to the cancellation of the 2020 spring
                                                                                                             campaign after an important rebuilding year in 2019 and plenty of            sports season, was poised to embark on a spring filled with new goals
                                                                                                             off-season development. The program continues to grow with more              and several new challenges. We were fortunate to add multiple, talented
                                                                                                             than 50 boys participating this spring. It was disappointing to lose the     players, and in addition to planning to contend for a Catholic League
                         BASEBALL was looking forward to a promising 2020 season. With the
                                                                                                             season so quickly after a grueling week of tryouts, but our thoughts and     Championship, we were prepared to compete for the program’s third
                         whole pitching staff returning from a team that advanced to the round of
                                                                                                             prayers stayed focused on the devastating effects of the Coronavirus.        consecutive District Championship and second straight appearance in
                         sweet 16 in 2019, the Falcons were stunned when the season abruptly
                                                                                                             Our seniors, led by team captains Pat Burke, Dawson Stec and Anthony         the MHSAA Regional Championship. The Varsity team finished the 2019
                         ended after one practice. Senior pitcher Nate Raniszewski, was looking to
                                                                                                             Floro were looking to recapture the Catholic League Championship and         season ranked #7 in the state of Michigan in Division 2. Our staff is
                         build off his dominating performance in 2019 by defeating the #1 ranked
                                                                                                             help develop the underclassmen. The team was expecting big things            especially thankful to our program’s seniors: Brooke Aho, Haley Aho,
                         team in the state, Carlton Airport. Senior First Baseman Matt Balash was
                                                                                                             and strong play from a talented group of seniors that included Jeffrey       Mia Bidolli, Bree McCormick, Amber Morgan, Maddie Stack and
                         poised to drive in runs hitting in the middle of the lineup. Seniors Sam
                                                                                                             Harrison, Broadie Kielb, Elijah Dysarz, Evan Crandall, Nick Roland,          Colleen Verla. Without this group, the DC Girls Soccer Program would
                         Tomasi and Brendan VanTubergan were working to provide solid defense
                                                                                                             Glen Nenninger, Michael Moss and newcomer Santiago Morales.                  not be where it is today.
                         up-the-middle and pitchers, Aaron Szostek, Josh Fitzgerald, and Jacob
                         White were looking to shut the opposition down. These 7 young men
                                                                                                             GIRLS LACROSSE season definitely didn’t go as planned. As a                  GIRLS SOFTBALL team is graduating 6 seniors. Captain, Sidney
                         have left their mark on the DC program by working hard and leading the
                                                                                                             program girls lacrosse had 25 returning players and 10 new players           Croskey, a four-year starter, will attend Lawrence Tech in the fall where
                         younger players during the winter workouts. They have paved the path
                                                                                                             between the Junior Varsity and Varsity teams. They had 10 returning          she will continue to play softballl. Elizabeth Kramp, a three-year varsity
                         and will hold their heads high.
                                                                                                             seniors that were essential to getting the program started last season       outfielder, will attend the University of Massachusetts Boston to play
                                                                                                             and were looking forward to building off their successful first season       D1 college hockey. Marina Johnson, a very versatile three-year varsity
DIVINE CHILD ATHLETICS

                         GIRLS BASKETBALL team finished the season 14-10. They placed 3rd
                                                                                                             into another successful season this spring. With new uniforms, a new         player, will continue her softball career at Ave Maria University in
                         place in the very tough CHSL Central Division. They won Districts before
                                                                                                             varsity coach, but the same work ethic and determination, these girls        Florida. Georgia Ploucha, a four year varsity player, is a very strong
                         losing Regionals to the #1 ranked team overall. The team is graduating
                                                                                                             were prepared for a tough but rewarding spring season. The coaching          and athletic competitor and has signed to play softball for Rochester
                         6 seniors: Brianna McCormick, Mia Bidolli, Molly Soraghan, Makayla
                                                                                                             staff is sad to see these seniors go without being able to watch them play   College. Natalie Santostasi, an explosive offensive and defensive
                         Rybak, Alex Stevens, and Ellie Reppen.
                                                                                                             their final season but are very excited about the legacy these girls have    four year varsity player, will be cheering at Central Michigan this fall.
                                                                                                             left behind them. As always, Team First, Team First, Always Team First.      Katie Christenson, a transfer from Ladywood, quickly acclimated to
                         GIRLS BOWLING team in their third straight year of having won or
                                                                                                             Welcome Coach Grace Savage.                                                  our program. She was one of the fastest runners ever in the program.
                         shared the East Division regular Season Championship. They finished
                                                                                                                                                                                          She will attend UM in the fall. Ila Roullier has been a team manager
                         2nd place in the CHSL Championship. They received 7 Recognition
                                                                                                             POM PON had another successful and exciting season this year! Thank          three years. She has been dedicated to the “team” from the minute she
                         Awards; All-Catholic and Academic All-State Jewell Redman (Sr.), Emma
                                                                                                             you to all of the parents who helped make it another great Pom season.       committed herself to our program.
                         Uetz (Sr.), Trianna Smith (So.), Amber Legenza (Fr.), All-League Marissa
                                                                                                             The team took 4th place in Large School High Kick Competition, won the
                         Kaniski (So.) and All-Academic Claire White (So.).
                                                                                                             Catholic League, and took 2nd place at States. The team graduates 6          GIRLS TRACK team had 9 seniors for this spring season, Brooke Aho,
                                                                                                             seniors, Jessica Wildauer who is attending Schoolcraft, Claire Corcoran      Haley Aho, Avery Budz, Anna Coyne, Isabel Dziadzio, Elizabeth
                         BOYS BOWLING team won the regular season East Division
                                                                                                             who is attending Michigan State University, Julia Maloney who is             Orozco, Macey Pappas, Madelynn Shannon and Lena Zielke. These
                         Championship and they won their 2nd Straight CHSL Championship.
                                                                                                             attending University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Marella DiDomenico               young ladies were going to be the core of this year's team. They have
                         They received 4 League Recognition Awards; All-Catholic Jonathan
                                                                                                             who is attending L'esprit Academy, Micah Sullano who is attending            been part of the CHSL Championships for the past 3 years and with
                         Ligenza (Sr.), Noell Jackson (Jr.), All-League Anthony Kaniski (Sr.), and
                                                                                                             University of Michigan-Dearborn and Micala Cagle who is attending            them, the team was looking to win its 6th consecutive CHSL team
                         All-Academic Shane Green (Jr.). The team was a State Qualifier for the
                                                                                                             Wayne State University.                                                      Championship. Brooke, Haley, Elizabeth, Anna and Lena were our
                         first time in 12 years, finishing 3rd in the region and 10th in the state in DII.
                                                                                                                                                                                          middle distance/distance runners. Avery and Macey were our leaders
                         They had 2 Individual State Qualifiers Anthony Kaniski (Sr.) Paul Schehuer

                                                                                                                                25
                                                                                                                                                                                          in the sprints and relays. Avery holds the school record in the high jump,
                         (So.). Anthony Kaniski is 25th in the state and Paul Scheuher finished 34th
                                                                                                                                                                                          and she was runner up at the State Championships for the past two years
                         in the state. Congratulations to Boys Bowling East Division Coach of the
                                                                                                                                                                                          in the high jump. Isabel was the returning disc champion in the CHSL
                         Year, Nicholas Ploucha.
                                                                                                                                                                                          Championships while Madelynn was the returning shot put champion.
                         COMPETITIVE CHEER team placed 5th at the Regional Championship
                         this season. They were led by 9 amazing seniors that exemplified
                         leadership and passion throughout the season. We will miss them so much
                         and are so proud to call them alumni. We are so excited to see what our
                         seniors will do in the future and for our program next season!

                         FIGURE SKATING finished their season stronger than ever. They placed
                                                                                                                             CLASS OF 2020 GRADS s i gne d at h l e t i c let ters of intent :
                         first in the district, moving on to States with the hopes of placing in the top
                         three. With this year being especially unusual the season was cut short,                             Aidan Bruce                                         Simon Jones                                       Nate Raniszewski
                         and States was cancelled. There were no seniors this year, so the team                      Siena Heights University - Soccer                       UD Mercy - Track and Field                         Schoolcraft College - Baseball
                         plans to have the same strong, hard working, and ambitious team in hopes
                         of bringing home a State title next season!                                                         Lauren Busuito                                           Colin Kelly                                     Mahmoud Saad
                                                                                                                         Albion College - Lacrosse                            Butler University - Football                           UM Dearborn - Golf
                         BOYS GOLF started off the season with high expectations. We had 3
                         returning seniors, Mahmoud Saad, Nicholas Marcyan, and Nathan                                      Sidney Croskey                                        Elizabeth Kramp                                    Natalie Santostasi
                         Drabicki, along with returning sophomores, that looked to continue the                          Lawrence Tech - Softball                        University of Mass Boston - Hockey                  Central Michigan University - Cheer
                         momentum of finishing 4th at the State Regional competition the previous
                         season. Our team was to be led by Saad, a University of Michigan                                 Joshua Fitzgerald                                    Jonathan Ligenza                                      Madelyn Stack
                         Dearborn commit, who was coming off his 2019 appearance at the                               Henry Ford College - Baseball                         Madonna University - Bowling                         Madonna University - Soccer
                         Division 2 State tournament. Our team was looking forward to qualifying
                         for the State Tournament as a team, which had not been accomplished                               Anthony Floro                                         Chase Markavich                                     Aaron Szostek
                         in many years. We look forward to the introduction of 6 freshmen from                        Madonna University - Lacrosse                            Adrian College - Soccer                          Macomb County CC - Baseball
                         2020, and the possibilities the 2021 season brings.
                                                                                                                           Anthony Hancock                                   Brianna McCormick                                        Emma Uetz
                         HOCKEY team, despite a difficult season, managed to maintain a                                University of Michigan - Track                     Madonna University - Basketball                       Madonna University - Bowling
                         tremendous team-first mentality all the way through the last game of the
                         year. Our captains did a great job of keeping the team focused. One of                             Michael Hancock                                        Amber Morgan                                       Brianna Wallace
                         those captains, Senior goalie Adam Yost, had a great season in which                          University of Michigan - Track                     University of St. Francis Ft. Wayne - Soccer             Alma College - Volleyball
                         he was awarded honorable mention All-State, All-State Academic, All-
                         Catholic, and 1st Team Metro League West. He will be going on to play                            Jeffery Harrison II                                    Georgia Ploucha                                         Adam Yost
                         junior hockey in the Eastern Hockey League for the East Coast Wizards.                      Concordia Ann Arbor - Lacrosse                         Rochester University - Softball                      East Coast Wizards - Hockey
                         We're excited to get things started for next year as soon as possible and
                         will be led by our second year captain Nicholas Welch.                                            Marina Johnson
                                                                                                                      Ave Maria University - Softball
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LEGACY FEATURES

MIF
                                                                                                                                                   JOE CHARNLEY
Longtime girls' cross country &
track & field coach hangs up his whistle
If you attended DCHS in the 2000s,                Carpenter Falcon 5K, Mif dedicated a            approached, Mifsud decided to file for
chances are you know Coach Tony Mifsud.           huge part of his life to his runners, and for   dual citizenship, so he could run for Malta
From his fluorescent yellow shirts and his hot    that reason, he was recognized by MHSSA         in the 10,000 meters. But, tragedy ended
pink shorts to his infamous chant, "hubba,        as Coach of the Year four times, and by the     his attempt. He was involved in a 15-car
hubba, walla, walla," Mif is hard to forget!

 Under his leadership, the Divine Child girls'
                                                  CHSL as Coach of the Year once. He was
                                                  also inducted into the CHSL Hall of Fame.
                                                                                                  accident on Labor Day 1967, landing him
                                                                                                  in the hospital with a lumbar fracture that
                                                                                                  kept him in the hospital with lower back
                                                                                                                                                   Remembering a CATHOLIC LEAGUE

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  GIANT
cross country team won eleven Catholic            Coaching partner Jack Benitez shared,           paralysis for eight weeks. But, Mif's positive
                                                                                                                                                   On May 6, 2020, Joe Charnley, Catholic High School League
High School League titles, eleven Regional        “Coach Mifsud always puts the girls first       spirit, drive and determination helped him to
                                                                                                                                                   Hall of Famer, former CYO Director of Athletics and former
Championships and three Track State               and has been a dedicated coach. The Divine      overcome obstacles, and in 1977 he laced
                                                                                                                                                   beloved DCHS Boys' Basketball Coach, was called home by God.
Championships (2010, 2012 & 2013), while          Child community thanks Tony for his many        up his running shoes and began running
                                                                                                                                                   Joe began his coaching career in 1974 at Catholic Central High
maintaining a positive, supportive team           years of coaching and shaping our young         again, while coaching at Henry Ford
                                                                                                                                                   School and continued his career at Riverview Gabriel Richard
experience for all runners.                       runners on the track and off.”                  Community College.
                                                                                                                                                   (1977), Redford St. Agatha (1979-1984), Detroit Benedictine
                                                                                                                                                   (1984-1987), before coming to Divine Child in 1987. He has won
"Mif was the kind of coach who genuinely          Tony Mifsud hit the track scene when he         Prior to making his way to Divine Child,
cared for every single runner on his              ran a 52-second, 440-yard dash leg on           Mif coached at U of M Dearborn, Henry
                                                                                                                                                   over 300 games, 15 district titles and 3 regional titles. During his    "I coached high school basketball for
                                                                                                                                                   time at Divine Child, he led the boys to Regional Championships         28 years, but never had more fun than
team. He kept track of all of our personal        a medley relay team as a sophomore at           Ford College, Allen Park High School and
                                                                                                                                                   in 1991 and 1992, and District Championships in 1987, 1991,
achievements, both in the sport and               Cody High School, after moving to Detroit       Southgate High School.
                                                                                                                                                   1992 and 1995. He was inducted into the Catholic High School            I did during the 8 years I worked at
outside of it, and encouraged all the girls       from Malta in 1950. Upon graduation,
to celebrate each other’s accomplishments.        he made All-American as the anchor leg
                                                                                                                                                   League Hall of Fame in 1997 and named Detroit News Coach                Divine Child with Joe. We used to call
                                                                                                                                                   of the Year in 1992, both honors received during his time at DC.
He made sure we weren’t just a team, but a        of the 4-mile relay at the U.S. Track and                                                                                                                                him the CD-Rom of the CHSL. He knew
family," shared Mackenzie Brewis '12.             Field News Magazine meet. From there,
                                                  he made a name for himself at Spring
                                                                                                                                                   Charnley has served as the director of Catholic Youth                   everyone! He was 100% genuine and
                                                                                                                                                   Organization athletics since 1999 and has introduced the sports         loved by many. The championships
Mif made a difference in the lives of countless   Arbor Community College and Henry
                                                                                                                                                   of cross country, bowling and lacrosse. He is a 1972 graduate
student-athletes and provided a powerful          Ford Community College. Coach Mifsud
                                                                                                                                                   of Shaw College and a 1968 graduate of Detroit St. Gregory              we won pale in comparison to our
example of how to embrace life with               attended Eastern Michigan University where
excitement and to always have fun!                in 1966 he set an EMU record for the indoor
                                                                                                                                                   High School, where he earned All Catholic Basketball, All State         friendship. " - Bill Dyer `84
                                                                                                                                                   Basketball and All Catholic Baseball honors. Joe is survived by his
                                                  2 mile (9:07.04). That year he became
                                                                                                                                                   wife Kathy, their two children Joe and Jen, and his grandchildren
From coaching to directing the Annual Mark        a U.S. citizen and as the 1968 Olympics
                                                                                                                                                   Madeline, Kassidy, Ryan and Isabella.
14                                                                                                                                                                                                                        ONCE A FALCON, ALWAYS A FALCON       15
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Swing into the school year
                                                     				                                     & support our schools
                                                                                                        SATURDAY, SEPT. 19, 2020
                                                                                                                 12:30 PM Registration
                                                                           10th Annual Divine Child Golf Classic   2 PM- Saturday,
                                                                                                                            ShotgunSeptember
                                                                                                                                         Start       19
                                                                                                                        7 PM Dinner
                                                                               The Divine Child Alumni Association annually awards more than $25,000 in
                                                                                   merit- and need-based scholarships to current students. Your sponsorship makes it
                                                                                   possible for more young men and women to experience a Divine Child education.

                                                                  Time:                                   Location:
                                                                                                                            All are welcome!
                                                                                                                                         Price:
                                                         12:30 - Registration                                        Alumni, Alumni
                                                                                                         Links of Novi            Single Parents,
                                                                                                                                         Golf Package - $135
                                                       2:00 p.m. - Shotgun start                      50395 W 10 Mile Rd.         18 holes of golf with cart,
                                                           7 p.m. - Dinner                                         Current Families,
                                                                                                        Novi, MI 48374                Parishioners
                                                                                                                                       reception & prizes
                                                                                                                         & Friends of DC!
                                                      Sponsorships
                                                     SPONSORSHIPS    AVAILABLE
           THE 10TH ANNUAL                            LEARN MORE | WWW.
                                                       Presenting Sponsor: $2,000
                                                       Company name & information on all marketing
                                                                                                                      Longest Drive Sponsor: $400*
                                                                                                                      Custom signage at the tee & green

             DIVINE CHILD                              materials as exclusive sponsors
                                                       Company name & logo displayed in all golf carts
                                                       Custom signage at outing (registration & dinner)
                                                                                                                      Closest to Pin Sponsor: $400*
                                                                                                                      Custom signage at the tee & green
                                                       One foursome
                                                                                                                      Golf Package: $700
                                                       Lunch Sponsor: $1,500                                          Includes one foursome, lunch, dinner & open bar
                                                       Custom signage at outing (registration & dinner)               plus hole sponsorship
                                                       One foursome.
                                                                                                                      Hole Sponsors: $175
                                                       Beverage Cart Sponsor: $1,000                                  Signage at tee
                                                       Signage on beverage cart(s)
               SEPTEMBER 19, 2020                      Two golfers.
                                                                                                                      Single Golf Package: $135
                                                                                                                      Includes golf, lunch, dinner & open bar
          LINKS OF NOVI | 50395 W. 10 MILE RD          Hole-In-One Sponsor: $400*
     18 HOLES OF GOLF, RECEPTION, RAFFLES & PRIZES     Custom signage at the tee & green                              *One Exclusive Sponsor
              SINGLE GOLF PACKAGE - $135
                                                                                     Proceeds benefit the DCAA and DCHS Scholarship Fund.
               SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE!
                                                      Registration
                                                     REGISTER ONLINE TODAY!

                                                                                                                                                   REGISTER
                                                                                                                                                   SCAN TO
                                                     OR,  CALL
                                                      Sponsor    THE ALUMNI OFFICE AT 313-216-0892
                                                              Name:
                                                      Sponsor
                                                     VISIT    Package:
                                                           | DIVINECHILDHIGHSCHOOL.ORG/ALUMNI-PORTAL/GOLF
                                                                                                  Please make checks payable to
16                                                                                                                               Divine Child Alumni Association
                                                      Golfer 1:                                    Class Year:
                                                                                                                                       (DCAA) and mail to:
FALCONS ON THE FRONTLINE Rising above the pandemic - FalconSummer/Fall 2020 - Digital asset management for teams
ALUMNI FEATURE                                                                                                                                RISING ABOVE THE PANDEMIC
Photo Credit: Alexi Konieg

                                                                           When the global pandemic flipped our world upside down,
                                                                           countless essential workers bravely stepped up to support,
                                                                           save and protect our families, friends and communities.
                                                                           These are the accounts of seven Falcons from the frontline.

                                                                           ALEXI (ANDRUS) KONEIG '03                     to transpire. I watched as my newer,        family members. Our new norm was to
                                                                           Registerd Nurse                               33 bed, private room unit became            call the rooms of our patients to talk to
                                                                           Ascension St. John Hospital | Detroit, MI     unrecognizable within days.                 them before going in. We had to cluster
                                                                           I am a fairly new nurse. My unit is                                                       our care more than any of us would ever
                                                                           ortho/neuro surgery. Most patients            The CDC regulations were changing           want. We looked to one another to help
                                                                           we encounter come to recover from             constantly and the result of new            ensure that we were properly protected
                                                                           elective surgery. Before COVID-19 hit         expectations was unsettling to say          before going into rooms. We’d go
                                                                           I had witnessed, or been involved in          the least. I found myself looking at our    through the checklist: Is our bare skin
                                                                           two codes total. I can no longer give a       “seasoned” nurses, the ones with 20+        covered? Are we double gloved? Is our
                                                                           number as I’ve lost count as to how many      years of experience and whose auras         gown tied? Is my hair sticking out? Are
                                                                           I’ve experienced over the last 8 weeks.       were always reassuring, and they were       we doing everything properly before
                                                                           I do realize COVID-19 did not hit every       scared. Seeing their fear, in turn, made    we go into this patient’s room? We were
                                                                           city or state the same. I also know Detroit   me terrified.                               reassuring each other that the above
                                                                           was one of the hardest hit; not just by                                                   precautions were keeping us safe, but
                                                                           statistics, but because I experienced and     It was hard to keep up with the rapidly     none of us actually knew if we were.
                                                                           witnessed it.                                 changing regulations. One day we were       That was a fact we tried to put out of our
                                                                                                                         scolded for wearing surgical masks in       minds.
                                                                           I was a person who doubted all the            the hallways outside of patients’ rooms
                                                                           COVID-19 hysteria and blamed the              and hours later we would be told            Throughout those 8 weeks, my
                                                                           media for causing much of it; I still do to   everyone needs to have a mask on.           co-workers and I witnessed the
                                                                           an extent. I rolled my eyes, told family      We watched patients go from talking         unspeakable. We picked one another

                                 FALCONS ON THE
                                                                           and friends to continue washing their         perfectly fine on room air to needing       up, literally and figuratively. The
                                                                           hands, and just encouraged everyone           to be intubated within 12 minutes. We       perseverance I witnessed amongst my
                                                                           to be cautious. I had no idea what was        quickly learned that COVID-19 does          co-workers was my lifeline through this.
                                                                           ahead of us.                                  not discriminate against age, race or       We also experienced more support
                                                                                                                         comorbidities. New protocols were           than we ever knew existed. We are

                                              			FRONTLINE
                                                                           It was the third week of March, and           constantly being presented and needed       forever grateful. Today, we don’t really
                                                                           it was finally “hitting home”. My unit        to be implemented immediately.              talk about what we went through. I’m not
                                                                           started being assigned “PUI” (person                                                      sure any of us have truly dealt with the
                                                                           under      investigation)    COVID-19         On top of our patient care taking a         trauma or the toll it’s taken on us yet. The
                                                                           patients. Even through my skepticism          180 degree turn, we didn’t know (or         fear of another surge is always lingering.
                                                                           I remember thinking, “I’ll be grateful        trust) whether or not our well-being was    We will continue to pray for our co-
                                                                           if I can avoid having those patients          being protected. We are a unit that is      workers, family, friends and community.

                                               Rising above the pandemic
                                                                           under my assignment.” Nothing could           never strict with visiting hours. At any
                                                                           have prepared me for what was about           given moment, you could have seen one
                                                                                                                         of us either hugging our patient or their

                                                                                                                                                    WWW.DIVINECHILDHIGHSCHOOL.ORG 19
ALUMNI FEATURE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            RISING ABOVE THE PANDEMIC

GREG CIBOR '89                                                                                        any hesitation. Even the community support
Physician, Family & Sports Medicine                                                                   was amazing. The flood of lunches and
Ascension Providence | Southfield, MI                                                                 dinners from the community shed a different
One can only imagine my emotion when                                                                  meaning to COVID-19! Again, it was an
I was asked to cover a COVID-19 floor at                                                              experience that encompassed a range of
Ascension Providence Southfield Hospital                                                              emotions and one I will never forget. |
on April 1st. The anxiety was palpable. I
don’t recall getting much sleep that night                                                            MARIANNE (ERVIN) VESTERFELT '89
as I feverishly researched the disease and                                                            Nurse Practitioner MSN, ANP-BC ACHPN
panned through old “on call” resources to                                                             Optalis Health Care | Southfield, MI
prepare for what was to become one of                                                                 Optalis Health Care has nine skilled
the most challenging, downhearted and                                                                 nursing facilities and three assisted living
gratifying moments of my 20-year career in                                                            facilities. When COVID-19 arrived, our
medicine.                                                                                             worlds stopped all normal function. Our
                                                                                                      patients suffered without family contact.
I am a family medicine and sports medicine                                                            Staff suffered with fear of the illness and
physician, and as a result haven’t done                                                               learning to work with PPE equipment on. Our
                                                                         Photo Credit: Greg Cibor
inpatient medicine since my residency days                                                            workforce suffered as many would not come
20 years ago. I didn’t know the hospital           on their loved one’s progress or many times,       to work out of fear for themselves or family
documenting/charting system very well or           unfortunately, their decline. That was very        members. About 10-15% of our workforce
how to place orders in the system, but soon        emotionally draining for me having to watch        was affected directly by the virus at some
realized, after some tutorials by the family       a patient spend their last moments alone.          point.
medicine residents, it was like “riding a bike.”   We would try and FaceTime or call family                                                                                                                                                                                Photo Credit: Alexi Konieg
                                                   members and hold the phone so they could           We had two of our facilities designated as
Providence Hospital in Southfield was              at least provide some final words of comfort.      regional hubs, but seven of our facilities had   My time with my daughter was greater than       themselves for school. Our oldest is out on      whose children, Sarah Lehnis ‘92, Cindy
basically a “ground zero” hospital and                                                                COVID-19 units. In the beginning we battled,     either of us anticipated. College years seem    his own and would call often, but visits were    (Lehnis) Richter ’94, Michael `97 and Katie
was hit very hard by COVID-19. We were                                                                begged, and bartered for PPE equipment           to bring the natural push away, but the         seldom – outside and social distanced. He        (Castel) Lehnis ’97, made hundreds of masks
at maximum capacity and as soon as you                                                                (masks, gowns, gloves, & hand sanitizer).        intensity of the days and her learning first-   lives in Lansing and the thought of us being     for my staff to protect their N95s. |
discharged a patient there was another one            Egos were set aside                             Now supplies are adequate. We had                hand what I did at work was special and         the carrier from Detroit to Lansing was scary.
coming up from the ER. Fortunately, we had            for one common                                  daily changes to regulations and guidance        seemed to bring a new closeness. To see her
enough resources and personal protection                                                              trying to keep up knowing frequent visits        fearlessly care for the patients and offer a    We have given COVID-19 proper attention
equipment, but most days we were asked to             purpose. Everyone . . .                         from surveyors were coming. Work stress          calm presence at 18 was amazing. She is         but have not let it consume us. We have
conserve supplies by using only one mask,             did their part, without                         was high. Our owners were supportive and         raking in the marriage proposals from those     grown in many ways that we would not have
face shield or gown when seeing patients.                                                             really showed it to the staff.
                                                      any hesitation.                                                                                  over 80, but has managed to resist and stay     in everyday life.
                                                                                                                                                       grounded.
The nurses were really the true heroes.                                                               Katie, my 18-year-old daughter just finished                                                     We are blessed to have a very concrete way
It was awe-inspiring witnessing the care                                                              her first year of college and is pursuing                                                        to be a good and faithful servant.
they provided without any fear. Rounding           At the opposite end of the spectrum were the       Nursing. She signed up for the COVID-19
on patients was very nontraditional. We            patients who seemingly had little chance,          unit at one of the regional hubs having no
would actually call patients on their phone        but were able to recover and return to             idea what to expect from this new world
and interview them from outside their room         their homes and loved ones, knowing that           of health care. We moved out of the house                                                         Don't be afraid to be
(ask them how they were feeling, changes           you had a little something to do with it. I        knowing we would be in constant contact                                                           attentive. Wear masks
in symptoms etc.) in order to minimize             ultimately covered nine shifts (7AM-7PM)           with the virus. The units themselves were
exposure. Then we would go inside the room
                                                                                                                                                                                                        in public areas, wash
                                                   during the month of April, typically 3 days        exhausting, but not scary. We are often
and examine them. Unfortunately, many              on, 3 days off. I have never been a member         asked what people look like? They look                                                            hands before and after
patients weren’t coherent enough to do this        of a team that functioned in such unison.          like your mothers and fathers, sisters and                   Photo Credit: Marianne Vesterfelt    everything . . .
protocol, so you had to resort to spending         The cooperation between the primary care           brothers, grandparents and friends. They         Back at home was more difficult. We did
more time in the room.                             doctors and the specialists was especially         could change condition in a few minutes          not see my husband Blair and my other two                                                                       Photo Credit: Peter Bustamante
                                                   gratifying.                                        time, so when working on the unit, focus         kids, Kayla and Noah, for two months. We        Our advice to all is … don’t be afraid-be
One patient I will never forget, had mild                                                             was needed. There were sweet moments             had a few short, outdoor visits a couple        attentive. Wear masks in public areas, wash      PETER BUSTAMANTE '92
dementia and was blind from years of               Egos were set aside for one common                 and patients so thankful for the personal        times a week, but it was not the same. Home     hands before and after everything, wash          Regional Chief Medical Officer
glaucoma. He couldn’t find the phone or            purpose. Everyone, including, but not limited      connection. So many lives have been                                                                                                               Ascension St. Vincent | Northern Indiana
                                                                                                                                                       schooling for them was rough, particularly      face when returning home. Pay attention to
even his food to eat or water to drink so I        to, the nurses, respiratory therapists, physical   affected in so many ways. We are happy to        with only one parent to help, who was not       the space 6 feet around you. And please          At Ascension St. Vincent Indiana North
would spend extra time with him just making        therapists, occupational therapists, social        say we had less that 5% of staff on any of       the normal "homework parent." Plus Blair        if nothing else, be kind even if you don’t       Region, the COVID-19 pandemic changed
sure he was able to get his nutrition and stay     workers, pastoral care, doctors, residents,        our COVID-19 units contract the virus. Our       was running an industrial business 12 hours     understand.                                      healthcare forever. It shook the foundation
hydrated. Long hours were spent on the             and custodial staff all did their part, without    protective measures work.                        a day and taking regular conference calls.                                                       of everything we do and, in some ways,
phone with patients’ families updating them                                                                                                            Kayla and Noah were left to try and motivate    A special thank you to MaryAnn Lehnis,           we will never return to old habits. It

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ALUMNI FEATURE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                RISING ABOVE THE PANDEMIC

forced us to find new ways to deliver           such a stressful and difficult time is nothing     scrounged up any protective equipment                and it will be here for a long while I imagine.   with the risk of infection or spread.
excellent care to those most vulnerable.        short of inspiring. I am truly blessed to be       we could find (no one had enough to                  In fact, I have to give someone with              Calls for service involving in-progress crimes
COVID-19 made us reassess how we                part of it. It was an incredibly unique and        care for the volume of patients coming in!)          COVID-19 anesthesia as soon as I finish my        or the collection of perishable evidence
do everything at every point in the care        difficult time, yet everyone pulled together       and we developed a plan with the help of             lunch break. I’ll put on my hazmat suit, my       continued to be performed in-person by
continuum, literally. We postponed a large      and rose up to meet the challenge together.        colleagues at different hospitals and from           face shield, and N95 and hope I don’t take it     officers wearing PPE. For other calls for
segment of our operations, and limited                                                             our professional organization.                       home today. Stay well and please continue         service, we began taking reports over the
entrances to our hospitals to focused entry     Every day brought success and                                                                           to protect yourself and others. God bless us      phone, online, and even from the outside
points. We implemented visitor restrictions     positive stories. Every day saw another            It was a scary time at work. No one even             all. |                                            of a home through an open window. We
and used video conferencing so patients         acknowledgment of an associate going               looked at each other as we passed in the                                                               reduced arrests and traffic stops, only
and loved ones could see each other.            above and beyond, showing up with a                halls; we were scared of the patients, and we                                                          making those that outweighed the risk of

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                ALUMNI
Telemedicine grew from a rare encounter         positive attitude and doing good for another       were scared of each other; we were terrified                                                           exposure to officers and the arrested person.
to over 3,000 visits daily. We scaled our       person.                                            to take it home; and we didn’t even know if                                                            Essentially, the COVID-19 Pandemic has
physician capacity by several-fold with new                                                        we were protecting ourselves enough to not                                                             been an exercise in finding ways to continue
and innovative approaches.                      Our Mission to serve others was being lived
                                                and our core values were on full display
                                                                                                   get it!                                                                                                to deliver essential police services with less
                                                                                                                                                                                                          in-person contact.                                    MAKE HAND
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                SANITIZER
We created protocols and procedures at an       every day. It was energizing. It was fulfilling.
incredible pace based on rapidly developing     I’ve never been more proud to be part of
information. Multidisciplinary teams across     an organization. I am blessed to be part of            We scrounged up any
                                                                                                                                                                                                            It was not easy, but I
                                                                                                       protective equipment
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                AT LOCAL
all of Ascension were quickly formed across     Ascension and work with such incredible
the system to take in information, evaluate     people. I am thankful and look forward to
                                                                                                       we could find (no one                                                                                think we have learned
options and develop solutions. Our ability      continuing to live out our mission together. |                                                                                                              some valuable lessons
to pivot based on new information coming
in from around the country and locally was
                                                                                                       had enough to care for
                                                                                                       the volume of patients                                                                               and are much better                                 DISTILLERIES
unprecedented.
                                                                                                       coming in!) and we                                                                                   prepared for any                                    Most craft distillers in Michigan were

                                                                                                       developed a plan with                                               Photo Credit: Tim Gibbons        future outbreaks.                                   forced to shut down along with many
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                other “non-essential” businesses due
                                                One can only imagine my emotion when My
 We no longer saw                               job as I knew it changed on March 17. At
                                                                                                       the help of colleagues at                        TIM GIBBONS '96                                                                                         to the coronavirus outbreak, but for
                                                                                                                                                        Chief of Police | Garden City, MI                                                                       employees at Rusted Crow Distillery
 obstacles, rather we                           Beaumont Health in Dearborn, we normally               different hospitals.                                                                               It was not easy, but I think we have learned
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                and Spirits in Dearborn Heights and
                                                respond to overhead calls in the hospital for                                                           Zoom is not an option for police officers         some valuable lessons and are much better
 created solutions                                                                                                                                      responding to an assault in-progress. So,         prepared for any future outbreaks. If I have
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Two James Spirits in Detroit, that
                                                people that need to be urgently intubated                                                                                                                                                                       wasn’t the case. Instead of vodka and
 to seemingly                                   for respiratory reasons, or if they are            Six or seven of my co-workers came down              the COVID-19 pandemic has presented               learned anything, it’s that the dedication of
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                other beverages, these two businesses
 insurmountable barriers.                       attempting to resuscitate someone that has         with the virus in those first few weeks; one of      a unique and difficult problem for police         first responders, health care workers, and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                turned to making hand sanitizer to
                                                died. We provide this service because we           them was critically ill and hospitalized with        departments across the nation. The need           all front-line workers is amazing. So many
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                help fill a gap with that shortage in the
                                                are airway experts. Our normal daily job           it. Thank God he has since recovered.                for a police response must now be weighed         of these workers, with no complaint, risked
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                market.
                                                involves delivering anesthesia for all types                                                            against the risk of officers contracting          their health and the health of their families, to
Every day the delivery of healthcare            of surgeries as well as labor and delivery         My co-workers all came together to provide           or spreading a deadly disease. When               protect, care for, feed, and help maintain our
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                “There was kind of a call to arms
improved. COVID-19 provided us the              anesthesia.                                        for our patients in need of intubations and for      COVID-19 suddenly arrived in the Metro            communities. That should not be forgotten
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                for us,” said head distiller Andrew
opportunity to innovate, to see new                                                                those patients with coronavirus that needed          Detroit area, the Garden City Police              when things return to normal, whatever the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Starnes ‘02. With some alcohol on
pathways. We no longer saw obstacles,                                                              surgery. We changed our schedules, some              Department, and all area law enforcement,         new normal might be. |
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                hand already, the distilleries were
rather we created solutions to seemingly                                                           volunteered to be laid off, and some of us           were forced to adapt quickly to an uncertain
                                                                   Photo Credit: Lisa O'Hagen                                                                                                                                                                   able to start as soon as the recipe
insurmountable barriers.                                                                           worked in the ICUs helping place lines or            and pressing problem.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                for the World Health Organization’s
                                                                                                   position patients on their bellies to help                                                                                                                   guidelines was made public. Over at
I believe the underpinning to this success                                                         them oxygenate better. And a lot of us cried          At GCPD we quickly obtained appropriate
                                                LISA (MAREK) O'HAGEN '90                                                                                                                                                                                        Two James Spirits in Detroit they are
and growth lies in our President and CEO,                                                          together.                                            personal protection equipment (PPE) for
                                                Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist                                                                                                                                                                          also doing a “leave one” or “take
Joe Impicciche, who at the outset declared                                                                                                              officers. We developed protocols for when
                                                Beaumont | Dearborn, MI                                                                                                                                                                                         one” toilet paper exchange. David
our priority was to take care of patients and                                                      That being said, we all felt the prayers and         officers needed to wear PPE. We developed
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Landrum ‘94, founder of Two James
to take care of our associates, including a     On the morning of March 17, we were                there was so much appreciation from the              COVID-19 screening and testing procedures.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Spirits, said, “I don’t know about you
pay continuation for all associates.            paged overhead to intubate a gentleman             community. It truly helped to feel appreciated       We adjusted the officer's schedules and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                but I haven’t been able to find toilet
                                                that we were informed had Coronavirus.             at a time when none of us wanted to go to            moved workspaces to separate officers from
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                paper anywhere. So, if you have too
I have never been more proud to be part         He coughed a lot during the intubation             work. It was hard hearing about how little           each other. Our goal was that if we had an
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                much at your house bring it in, and
of an organization so committed to the          and that was when we realized that we              there was to do because everyone had to              outbreak at GCPD we could minimize the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                if you don’t have any, take a roll!”
loving ministry of Jesus as healer with         need to develop our own plan to protect            stay home, yet we were going to the “front           spread and still have enough officers to step
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Thanks to these two alumni businesses
special attention to those who are poor and     ourselves during this viral outbreak and we        line” as it was called. It did feel like the front   in to replace those that were infected. We
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                for providing hand sanitizer to our
vulnerable.                                     realized we needed to prepare ourselves            line - it felt like I was being called to duty       also developed protocols for responding
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                community during a time of need and
                                                to be doing many, many more intubations            when I didn’t feel like I signed up for it! But      to calls for service that balanced the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                doing their part to help fight back
Watching my colleagues and associates           with COVID-19 patients. No one had                 at the end of the day, we were proud of              importance of an in-person police response
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                against the coronavirus.
perform at such an exceptional level, during    any guidance for us at the hospital. We            ourselves for handling it so well. It isn’t over;
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