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Golden
Crusader
Winter 2017
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UPCOMING EVENTS
If you are on Facebook, make sure to "Like"
and subscribe to our events!
Eucharistic Adoration
Fridays (when school is in session) 8:30am-2:45pm in the Founder's Chapel
Family Fun Night @ Norton Pines
Friday, January 5th from 5pm-8pm
1350 Judson Road, Norton Shores 49456
$20/family (2 adults, 4 kids) or $15/parent & child
Open swim, family whirlpool, rock wall, basketball, inflatable
Catholic Schools Week Mass-All Welcome!
Friday, February 2nd at 9:30am in the Cioe Gymnasium
Ash Wednesday Mass-All Welcome!
Friday, February 14th at 9:30am in the Cioe Gymnasium
Lenten Fish Dinners
Fridays February 16, 23 and March 2, 9, 16, 23 from 4:30pm-7pm
American Red Cross Blood Drive
Tuesday, February 20th 8am-2pm
Spring Musical-Beauty and the Beast
March 16, 17, 23 & 24 at 7pm and March 18 at 1pm
35th Annual Rainbow Auction
Saturday, April 28, 2018
Volunteer Opportunities
Do you have time or talent to share?
Check out opportunities
here!
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New items available!
Stop in the Business Office M-F 8am-4pm to purchase Crusader Gear!
The office will be closed 12/25-1/1
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AdvancEd Accrediation
In a letter dated August 17, 2017, we were informed that Muskegon Catholic Central has been awarded accreditation by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CAS), the regional accrediting agencies that span the AdvancEd global network. This action was taken by the Accreditation Commission at its meeting on June 20, 2017.
Muskegon Catholic Central (Pre-K to 12) is accredited through June 30, 2022. This is incredible news to receive! Thanks to all who worked so diligently and purposefully last year. Special thanks to Mrs. Peg Alexander for so ably leading and prodding us through the many phases of the accreditation process.
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MCC Elementary Growth and Change
Muskegon Catholic Central educates each student in spirit, mind and body by fostering personal excellence within the Catholic tradition, and we work each day to make certain that we are creating the best environment to fulfill that mission for our students. Beginning in August, we began a search for a new principal for the elementary school.
Marie Jones, a long-time MCC elementary school teacher and most recently the 2nd grade teacher, was selected.
Due to enrollment growth in the 3rd grade class, the MCC Management Team decided it was necessary to split the class and search for an additional teacher. Megan Gillette has been hired and after purposeful deliberations and prayerful discussion, the decision was made to move Penny Johnson to the new 3rd grade classroom and place Ms. Gillette as the Kindergarten teacher due to her previous experience. As a Master Teacher, Penny Johnson was absolutely prepared to step into a mid-year class split and provide the necessary energy and collaboration in this important transition. Kelly (Allore) Napierala '86 was hired to teach the 2nd grade class.
It is exciting to be grappling with changes necessary because of enrollment increases. Please realize that our focus and attention as we collaborate on these important decisions is the simple but important question of which solution helps us serve the learning needs of our students in the best possible way.
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| (L-R) Marie Jones, Megan Gillette, Kelly Napierala |
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2017 Wall of Honor
Educator-Mary Fritz-Mary taught for 26 1/2 years with Muskegon Catholic Schools including Kindergarten and 6th grade at St. Francis, 6th through 8th grades in the MCC Middle School teaching Social Studies, Language Arts and Religion, and also teaching High School Speech and Theatre.
Mary was on the Rainbow Auction Steering Committee - first in charge of decorations and then in charge of the Oral Auction.
Mary also costumed the Spring Musical for 16 years, and later was one of the Musical Directors for 7 years. Mary is married to Charlie and together they raised 5 Crusaders, Molly '92, Joe '96, Cat '02, Paul '07 and Jessica '08.
Alumni-Ed Kuznar '60-Ed continuously supports MCC athletics, mission trips, Rainbow Auction, Fund-A-Need and the annual fund. This is the third year that Ed and his wife, Terry (Engle) '62, have offered the Kuznar Challenge that kicked off with the #GivingTuesday Campaign this year to match donations dollar for dollar. Ed simply stated that he supports MCC because he's very fortunate to be able to and he wants MCC to continue to exist and to grow.
Service-Dr. Tim Reilly-Tim's photography at MCC started in the theater department in 2004 with a little 3 megapixel digital camera. Tim's oldest daughter Rosie was in the spring musical and he had this brilliant idea to shoot the play. Tim says he "found a way into his kids' life without getting in the way" and one thing led to another and to where he is today. Tim is married to, Shelly (Hegedus) '81 and together they have Rosie '07, Megan '10 and Mickey '14. "I consider myself honorary '12 as I was the commencement speaker that year." Tim's other job is as a dentist at Great Lakes Dental Excellence. Tim has been in practice with the Hegedus family (all MCC grads) for 29 years. "My hope is to be here to photograph future generations and their success and to simply support MCC any way I can."
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Make your nomination for the Wall of Honor 2018
here!
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MCC's Patron Saint
Pope John Paul II
Charged with finding purposefully and meaningful ways to nurture and enhance our Catholic Identity and Mission, the Muskegon Catholic Central-Catholic Culture Committee decided MCC needed a Patron Saint. After great deliberation and prayerful discernment, there was a list of three possible patron saints. Our WINGS students along with Campus Minister educated our MCC faith community about the saints
. Our MCC students, faculty and staff were invited to choose the saint they felt most represented the MCC Mission. During the All-School Mass presided over by Bishop Walkowiak on Tuesday, October 3rd, St. Pope John Paul II was formally adopted as the Patron Saint of Muskegon Catholic Central.
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Congratulations to our 2017 winners!
Grand Prize Car or $35,000-Jon Stewart '67
$1,000-Lucy Patino
$1,000-Dan Rackiewicz '57
$1,000-Cindy & Dave
Plank
$1,000-Mike Kuznar
$1,000-Steve '68 & Bonnie Nedeau
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Our second #GivingTuesday campaign on November 28th resulted in 72 donors, 4 of those being first time donors and 25 donors that gifted to #GivingTuesday in 2016, Total contributions $11,130! Donations came not only from Michigan, but Arizona, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and Ireland! Thanks to Ed '60 & Terry '62 Kuznar for matching this Campaign, that total is now $22,260!
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Crusader Athletics
Football:
Congratulations to our Crusader Football for winning their fourth consecutive Lakes 8 Conference Championship this season. Their final record was 8-2 after a tough 26-15 loss to Division 8 State Semi-Finalist Mendon in the District Finals.
The following earned honors in football
First Team All-State:
Jared Bengston (senior)
Jacob Martinez (senior)
Cameron Martinez (sophomore)
Academic All-State:
Jackson Riegler
First Team All-Conference:
Peter Bartolameolli - OL
Jordan Porter - OL
Jared Bengston - OL
Tommy Watts - RB
Dawson Steigmen - RB
Cameron Martinez - QB
Riley St. Amour - K, LB
Isaias Reyes - DL
Jacob Martinez - DL
Avery Davis - LB
Jackson Riegler - DB
Coaching Staff:
Varsity Head Coach: Steve Czerwon '95
Assistants: Mike Ribecky '73, Nate Smith , Kolin Convertini '90, Mike Hornak, Jason Ribecky '12
Our cheer program continued their recent success by having a team of 8 this season. One highlight of the season was being invited onto WZZM 13 On Your Sidelines. The team was led by head coach Maria (Toscano) Secord '94 and assistant coach Jessica Reid.
Cross Country:
Our varsity cross country team competed admirably this season; with the boys finishing in 4th place in the Lakes 8 Conference.
Head Coach: Jason Stariha
Assistant Coaches: Jerry Mabrito, Elizabeth Stalzer, Don Martines, Ron Komarek '57
Boys Soccer:
The boys soccer team this year was very young and competed to the best of their ability all season, finishing with a record of 3-18 (0-8 Lakes 8). Their victories were against Grand Rapids Wellspring Prep, Pentwater, and Muskegon.
The following earned honors in soccer:
Second Team All-Conference: Glen Kuharevicz
Coaching Staff:
Varsity Head Coach: Art Dorsey, Assistant Coach: TJ Prince '14
Volleyball:
The volleyball program set ne
w program standards this season en route to a terrific 2017 season. They set a school record with 31 wins and only 15 losses. They earned their first conference championship in program history, as well as reaching the Regional Finals for only the second time in program history; losing an epic 5 set match to Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart.
First Team All-State:
Zoie Price (first in program history)
Academic All-State
First Team All-Conference:
Zoie Price, Abby Zelenka
Coaching Staff:
Head Coach: Laura Farrell '10
Assistant Coaches: Sydney Hindes, Kailey Hindes, Kari Klever (JV coach)
High School Co-Op Sports
Girls Golf at North Muskegon
The girls co-op golf team had an amazing season that culminated in finishing 4th at the Division 4 State Finals. Participating in the State-Finals for the Crusaders was juniors Mya Gonzalez and Sarah Staniforth. Congratulations to the ladies and coach Jimmy Hegedus '00.
Swimming at Greater Muskegon Co-op hosted by Mona Shores
The swim team had their best season in Co-op program history, finishing 6-2 in the OK Conference and 2nd place at the OK Conference Championships.
State Qualifiers: Alaina Kohley and Olivia McKenna (200 Free Relay) - 26th place
First Team All-Conference (OK Rainbow)
Olivia McKenna (200 IM)
Head Coach: Mick Homan
Middle School Football
Finished 6-0, (4-0 Lakes 8 Conference) and finished in first place in the Lakes 8 Conference.
Middle School Volleyball
Finished second place in the Lakes 8 Conference
Middle School Cross Country
Girls finished second place in the Lakes 8 Conference
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MCC Preschool
Did you know? Any tuition dollars paid to attend MCC's Preschool Program, the one year previous to entering Kindergarten, will be received as a credit back on your tuition invoice for Kindergarten and 1st Grade. The credit will be split evenly between the two years. MCC has 2-day, 3-day and 5-day program. More information here!
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One of the 3 Preschool classes practicing for their Christmas program.
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MCC Theatre & Dance
It certainly has been a busy fall!
Jacqui
(Bernhardt) Robinson '09 is the Elementary Resource Room Interventionist and also the Director of the Theatre and Dance Department. Jacqui graduated from GVSU in 2014 with degrees in English/Elementary Education and Theatre. She also received her Masters degree in Theatre for Young Audiences from Bath Spa University in England in February, 2017. In between degrees, she spent a year working at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. After moving home from England she directed last year's Spring Musical, "Seussical" and has been working to help expand our Performing Arts Departments ever since.
The Dance Club has over twenty kindergarten through eighth grade students who meet once a week to practice their ballet, tap and jazz skills. This year they have performed at school pep rally's, football games, the Elementary Barnes and Noble book fair, the Downtown Muskegon Christmas Tree Lighting, the Elementary Christmas Program and Floodlight Fever. They will begin meeting again in January to
perform at basketball games.
This year the Theatre Department collaborated with the Band Department to perform "A Charlie Brown Christmas" for our community over three days earlier this month. 7th-12th grade band students played before and during the 40 minute play, which featured 18 actors and actresses, including many who had not been on our stage before. It was the first theatrical performance MCC has done in the Fall semester of school in about twenty years. We are thrilled to have started a new tradition.
Our traditional Floodlight Fever talent show was December 1st and showcased the talents of multiple 7th-12th graders, many who performed both as a soloist and a member of a group. In addition to the individual acts, there were performances from the Dance Club, 7th-8th grade band, the Boys and Girls Honors Choirs and the Sacred Music Ministry. We had such a fun night celebrating the various performing gifts our students possess.
Save the dates for our spring musical, "Beauty and the Beast," performing March 16, 17, 18, 23, 24th in MCC's Nugent Auditorium. We had over 80 students audition for the first Disney musical ever to be performed on our stage and cannot wait for you to be our guest!
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MCC Choir
The High School Choir sang to the residents at the Hume Home on December 13, 2017. The Choir is directed by Laura (Zagar) Ogren '02.
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Our Lady of Guadalupe
Muskegon Catholic Central students celebrated Our Lady of Guadalupe with a Mass on December 12th. In recognizing Hispanic tradition, the Reading and some songs were spoken in Spanish.
MCC was also honored to receive a very special gift from Dick '66 and Barb Perri of a custom framed painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe that was purchased from Mexico. Father Matt Barnum blessed our painting in preparation to be hung outside the chapel. Please stop by to see this magnificent piece of work.
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Toys for Tots
MCC students donated and collected 1,375 toys!
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Simon Piotrowski '19
I started to develop my interest in woodworking at a young age seeing my dad build homes and being able to make things from wood with my hands. I have been on the varsity soccer team this past year and plan on playing next year as well. I also still enjoy working with my dad on houses and constantly staying active. I am part of the National Honors Society and the National Art Honors Society.
Simon is the the son of Frank '74 and Zofia Piotrowski and the brother of Kristine '03, Andrea '04, Kristopher '07 and Erika '10.
The Piotrowski's are members of St. Michael's Parish.
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| MCEF special ordered these crosses to use at centerpieces at events. |
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As we close out another successful year and begin preparing for another, please consider donating to MCC. When you make a gift to Muskegon Catholic Central, families are relieved of worry. Goals are met. Lives are changed forever. Every person who is helped has a greater chance of paying it forward throughout their lives.
Contact Todd Woodard, Development Director at 231-291-0326 for more information.
Crusade for MCC Annual Fund
Here's how to join the Crusade:
- You can donate here with Paypal
- You can mail a check payable to:
MCEF, 1851 Barclay St., Muskegon, MI 49441
- You can donate by credit card over the phone at 231-755-1000
The Millennium Club
The Millenium Club consists of our donors who have gifted $1,000 or more during the fiscal year (July 1-June 30) to the Crusade for MCC Annual Fund.
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MCC benefits when you shop
For every eligible purchase, MCC receives .5%! AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
Click here to link your account!
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Do you have news to share? College achievement, business owner, wedding, birth/adoption, career, achievement, award, anniversary, etc. We'd love to include you! Let us know
here!
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Dr. Bobby Russell '75
The American College of Dentists (ACD) last month named Iowa Public Health Dental Director, Dr. Bob Russell, a fellow during the annual gathering of the American Dental Association in Atlanta, Georgia.
Membership as a fellow in the ACD is comprised of dentists who have exemplified excellence through their outstanding leadership and exceptional contributions to dentistry and society. Membership is by invitation only. About 3.5 percent of dentists are fellows of the American College of Dentists.
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Jim Roberts '78
Jim is the CEO of Jim Roberts Enterprises LLC, a management consulting company,
and Jim Roberts - Centennial Securities Advisory Services LLC, a registered investment advisory company. He is also co-owner of the Lake Company LLC, a commercial real estate company. Jim has the philosophy of paying it forward and has helped many fellow small businesses and corporations. It is estimated that he helps 15 to 25 people per year to find jobs.
Jim has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering-Structures and Hydraulics from the University of Michigan. He also has a MBA degree in Integrative Management from Michigan State University.
Earlier in his career he worked as an engineer for the States of California, Massachusetts and Michigan. From there, he worked as an engineer for a national engineering firm. After receiving his MBA, he served as a Managing Director for CBRE in their Global Corporate Services Division where he led a team of over 3,000 people in 52 countries with a $450 million/year budget.
Jim has won several awards at the local, state and national levels. He has also published articles in national publications such as
Minority Business Entrepreneur
magazine and the
National Educational Procurement Journal
. His business success and community service lead to his appointment to the Council for Labor and Economic Growth by the Governor of Michigan. He served on this council under two Governors, a Democrat and Republican.
Jim is currently serving on the boards of the Michigan Minority Supplier Diversity
Council; Cornerstone Alliance Woman's Business Center; and the audit committee for the Child & Family Services of Southwestern Michigan, Inc. He has previously served on the boards of the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Michiana Junior Achievement; Michigan State University Weekend MBA Alumni Association; University of Michigan Engineering Alumni Association; Benton Harbor and Saint Joseph Rotary Club; Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention and Visitors Bureau - Multicultural Advisory Council.
He is the President of the Engineering class of 1983 at the University of Michigan and was admitted to the Vulcan's (an honorary leadership society at the University of Michigan). He was also selected in 2015 as one of ten alumni to be recognized as a Distinguished Alumni of the Michigan State University Executive MBA over the past 50 years.
Jim is known for always keeping his eyes open for new business opportunities. He resides in St. Joseph, MI and has a 19 year old daughter who is currently in college and 17 year old son who is a senior in high school. He also keeps busy with his 5 furry children -3 dogs and 2 cats, all rescue animals.
Honors and Awards:
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2017 Minority Business Entrepreneur magazine - MBE's That Rock (one of ten companies selected from across the nation for business excellence and service to the community)
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2017 Corp! Magazine - Michigan Diversity Focused Company Honoree
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2016 Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council - Minority Supplier of the Year Winner (Class 1)
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2015 Michigan State University Distinguished Executive MBA Alumnus Award (one of ten alumni selected as a Distinguished Alumni of the Michigan State University Executive MBA over the past 50 years)
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2013 Corp! Magazine - Michigan Diversity Business Leader Honoree
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2013 Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce - EPIC Award Minority Business of the Year Winner
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2012 Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council - Minority Supplier of the Year Winner (Class 1)
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President, Engineering Class of 1983; University of Michigan
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Vulcan, Senior Honorary Leadership Society - University of Michigan
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President, American Society of Civil Engineers - University of Michigan
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Engineering Council - University of Michigan
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Jason Bertoia '97
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Jason is the new Managing Director of the Muskegon Civic Theatre (MCT).
Jason has both been cast in and directed productions over the years for MCT. Jason is credited with creating the theater program at Western Michigan Christian High School and serves as the Director, leading an annual spring musical production for middle and high school students. In addition to WMC, he has was involved in the productions at Muskegon Catholic Central (2008 Annie Get Your Gun-Assistant Director and 2016 Wonderful Town-Director) and worked to support numerous high school productions through his extensive network of theater professionals in West Michigan. A director for the White Lake Youth Theater and the Summer Series, Jason often spends his summer involved at the Historical Howmet Playhouse.
"MCT has always been the root of my experience, education, and growth in the theatrical arts. I started my passion for stage performance as a theatre kid in the education department running the halls of the Hilt building and standing on the stage of the Beardsley Theatre with dreams of playing on the "Big Stage" of the Frauenthal. It is a truly special opportunity to helm an organization that has meant so much to my life and to stand in a role once held by a mentor and friend. I look forward to leading this new Act in the story of Muskegon Civic Theatre. My Senior Seminar job shadow was done with the then Managing Director of Muskegon Civic Theatre, Judy Johnson."
When theater and teaching isn't dominating all of his non-work time, Jason has volunteered in the community for events such as the KnowSmoke Zombie Walk, Miss Michigan's Outstanding Teen Pageant, Greater Muskegon Jaycees Snowfest and the Lakeshore Art Festival. Jason has also been named a member of the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce Future 15 for 2017.
Prior to MCT, Jason worked at Every Woman's Place for nearly 17 years. Holding various positions that have been direct service, Jason has been able to support women and children as they rebuild their lives. He has experience working as a youth case worker with Webster House, an employment liaison and since 2012 as a Community Health Worker (CHW) with the successful implementation of the Pathways Community Hub model, an initiative of Mercy Health Muskegon.
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Dr. Paul Plucinsky '07
On Friday, June 16, 2017, Paul received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Caltech (California Institute of Technology) in Pasadena, CA. He also won an award for Best Thesis in Mechanical Engineering at Caltech, which included a $1000 prize. Paul received his BS and his MA from the University of Michigan.
Paul has accepted a position doing post-Doctoral Research at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where he will be working with Richard D. James, Ph.D., Distinguished McKnight University Professor.
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Kelly Stone '17
After graduating from MCC earlier this spring, I decided to wait on college for next year and take a volunteer trip to South Africa. I have officially been here in Cape Town for 3 months now and have loved every minute of it. During my time at MCC, giving back and volunteering was highly encouraged and was such an important part of our everyday lives. My experience volunteering at MCC is what inspired me to take a trip dedicated solely to it. Going to South Africa has been so rewarding these few months and without MCC's support in volunteering I may not have pursued this option after my graduation. During my time here I have been volunteering in two different preschools as a teacher's aid. My days with the kids include playing with them, helping them learn English, singing and dancing with them, and helping with basic math. The organization I am volunteering through, Gap Year South Africa, has also started a program where we teach young boys from a local township how to swim and surf, which is an opportunity most kids from there would not get. It has been so wonderful watching them grow in their abilities and as young men. Something that has been so special to me is the relationships I have built with all of these kids. MCC preaches the virtue of a tight knit family. My whole life I have had two families, my family by blood, and my family through the friendships and caring people I have found at MCC. Having both of these families have taught me the true importance of relationships and how impactful they are. This has helped me immensely throughout my time here as I realize how important it is to create strong and loving relationships with the people I come across. Not only have I become close with the kids I volunteer with, but also with my other peers volunteering and the people who are have become part of my everyday life here.
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COLLEGE ACHIEVEMENTS
| Alumni |
Class
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College
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Degree
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Major |
| Paul Plucinsky |
'07 |
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
Ph.D. |
Mechanical Engineering |
| Tom Pallas |
'10 |
Northwestern's Fienberg School of Medicine
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DPT |
Physical Therapy |
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WEDDINGS
Caitlyn Ward & Jimmy Hegedus '00 on October 14, 2017.
Allison (Shakinis) Grinnell '02 & Matt Aldrich on November 11, 2017.
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| BIRTHS
Maria (Vresics) '06 & Jim Kutches, a boy, Remy James on June 25, 2017.
Phoebe (Pierce) '15 & Jacob Hardy, a girl, Emersyn Rose on November 7, 2017.
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ALUMNI BUSINESSES
A list of Alumni owned businesses is available on the MCC website here.
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IN MEMORIAM
Sandra (Bowen) Brodrick '58
Robert Ferenz '58
Michael McDermott '58
Ron Kolenic '64
Timothy Younkman '64
Phillip Chmura '68
Thomas Decker '68
Tori Houghtaling '10
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If you know of an alumnus that has passed, please let us know
here.
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Hall of Fame Trophy Case Project
Currently, there is 1 section available! Additonal cases will be built and installed as we have sponsors. Each section has it's own plaque. Thank you to all of our generous sponsors who have brought additional pride to the Crusader Hall of Fame!
For more information and to see a list of plaques, visit our website!
These cases have replaced lockers that have gone unused
for d
ecades in the
Hall of Fame. Trophies that have been in storage have now
come back out display!
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Muskegon Catholic Central educates each student in spirit, mind and body by fostering personal excellence within the Catholic tradition.
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Stay Connected!
Check out our Facebook Pages!
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Muskegon Catholic Central | 1145 W. Laketon Ave., Muskegon , MI 49441 | 231-755-2201
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