A Message from the Alumni Office
You will notice a new feature in this edition of Alumni Soundings, the Alumni Faculty/Staff Spotlight. It is a source of pride for me that there are currently eighteen alumni on the faculty and staff of Saint Joseph High School ranging from the Class of 1967 to the Class of 2019. The first graduate in the spotlight is Sue Kostielney, Class of 1988, and current member of the Mathematics faculty. I hope you enjoy this addition to the usual Alumni Soundings lineup. Future editions will spotlight additional alumni faculty and staff.
Wishing you all the best as we begin the second semester.
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Henry Chandler, '67
Alumni Coordinator
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In Remembrance of Brother Robert Dierker, C.S.C. |
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It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Brother Robert Dierker, C.S.C. on December 10, 2023. Brother Robert joined the order of Holy Cross Brothers in 1950, embarking on a lifetime of dedicated service. After battling polio in 1952, Brother Robert served at Ave Maria Press for 20 years. His commitment extended to Saint Joseph High School, where he worked for 33 years until retiring in 2006. A faithful volunteer even after retirement, he continued contributing to the school he cherished. Brother Robert's kind and gentle spirit, exemplified by his dedication and enduring service, will forever be remembered. |
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Save the Date: Ignite! 2024 |
Solid Gold
Join us Saturday, March 16 at Four Winds Casino, for our annual Ignite Gala. This year's honoree is Mr. Henry Chandler, recognizing his 40+ years of service to Saint Joe. Help us raise the funds necessary for our mission, and position Saint Joe for a lasting and prosperous future.
More information to follow!
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Alumni Faculty/Staff Spotlight |
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Ms. Sue Kostielney '88 has a deep and enduring connection to her alma mater. Inspired by fellow alumni Mr. Tom Gerencher and Mr. Henry Chandler, she returned to Saint Joe and embarked on a remarkable 25-year teaching journey (30th overall). Saint Joe holds a special place in her heart, having become a familial legacy with three generations of her family attending, including her niece and nephew, whom she now teaches alongside. Reflecting on her experiences, Sue highlights the strong sense of family within the Saint Joe community, where colleagues have become supportive and caring of each other. Fond memories include engaging in spirited Homecoming/Spirit Weeks activities, the presence of Sister Carmel in the library, and the cherished Shookies. Teaching memories include Math Madness and Pi Day Celebrations. Two significant teaching moments for Sue were receiving the Thomas A. Gerencher Teaching Award and the Christ the Teacher Award. As she imparts wisdom to her students, Sue encourages them to believe in their ability to overcome challenges and emphasizes the importance of love for both God and family.
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Bill Bilinski '75 to be Inducted Into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame |
Bill Bilinski '75 will be inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame on June 7 at St. Hedwig as a contributor. Bill played football, baseball, and basketball at Saint Joe. He was Saint Joe's first 1,000-yard rusher and was a starter in football and baseball at Hanover College. He also was a sportswriter at the LaPorte Herald Argus and sports editor at the Plymouth Pilot News and South Bend Tribune.
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Joey Hecklinski '09 Named Goshen Football Coach |
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Goshen High School recently announced the hiring of Joey Hecklinski '09 as the new head football coach. Joey has dedicated ten years of his coaching career at the college level, at Manchester University, Marian University, Butler University, and most recently, Ball State University. Coach Hecklinski, his wife Sarah (Davis) '11, and their newborn son are excited to return to Northern Indiana.
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Patrick Farrisee Excels at Clemson University |
Patrick Farrisee '19 recently graduated from Clemson University with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Patrick was honored to speak on behalf of his cohort/class at the pinning ceremony. He has accepted a residency in nursing with Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee and will start in February after licensing exams are completed. His specialty area will be inpatient psychiatric/mental health with an intention to return to school to complete a nurse practitioner (Doctorate in Nursing Practice) once he gains the required two years experience.
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Alumni are invited to join Director of Annual Giving and Constituent Relations Patrick Lindenmeyer and Alumni Coordinator Henry Chandler for coffee at The Chicory Café in downtown South Bend on Tuesday, January 30 from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Stop by to say hello, reminisce about your Saint Joe years and catch up on the latest Saint Joe news. The Chicory Café is located at 105 E. Jefferson Blvd. Please contact Henry Chandler at [email protected] if you have any questions.
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Mascot Process Update
The Mascot Adoption Committee will be releasing the finalists today, Friday, January 19 along with a survey to gain a final round of input from the Saint Joe community. We look forward to your responses and plan to have a mascot decision by the end of February.
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Happenings Around Saint Joe |
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Alex Choinacky '26 was recently sworn in as a member of the City of South Bend Youth Advisory Council.
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Congratulations to Allyson Fraker '26, who had the honor of performing for Pope Francis at Pueri Cantores in Rome, Italy.
Read more about this trip here.
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Students in Ms. Walters' Personal Finance class worked on game this week called "Get a Life." Students picked a career and then created a budget and made other spending decisions based on the monthly salary that comes with it.
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Upcoming Reunions
Classmates interested in organizing a class reunion may contact the Alumni Office at (574) 234-2904, ext. 5, or email Alumni Coordinator Henry Chandler at [email protected] to get started.
Class of 1969
55 Year Double Nickel Reunion – September 12, 2024 4:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Chickory Event Center Mishawaka. Contact: Deb Buczynski Leath [email protected] put Reunion 55 in subject line or [email protected] or 574-210-1706 (leave message with name, email, refer to 55 Reunion; Deb will get back to you.) One mailing will be sent at a future date.
Class of 1974
50 Year Reunion – July 26 & 27, 2024. More information to come.
Class of 1989
35 Year Reunion Saturday, July 20, 2024 at Four Winds Casino, South Bend Facebook page St. Joe Class of 1989 Reunion Contacts: Myra Klawinski Sweeney [email protected] Dave Custer [email protected]
Class of 2004
Class of 2014
10 Year Reunion Friday, August 9 and Saturday, August 10, 2024. More information to follow.
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Saint Joseph High School
Athletics Update
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Hockey enters the second half of the season with an overall record of 16-9-2, with a league record of 6-4-1. They are currently sitting in 3rd place in the league with 6 games remaining. A strong finish in league play could land the team in first place entering the MHSHL City Tournament in February. The team scoring leaders are Evan Peters, Marko Zielinski, Owen Balint, and Colton Edman. It's been somewhat of a roller coaster season, but the team is very optimistic to get on a January run and finish the season strong. The team recently celebrated Senior Night, with a win against Riley High School. Congratulations to seniors, Anthony Tirotta, Gabe Machiela, Megan Hix, Mia Rhame, and Annabelle Ahlersmeyer.
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Boys Basketball is currently sitting at 8-7 on the season after securing two big wins over NorthWood and Elkhart High School. Coach Gaff is pleased with the strides the team is making and sees great potential and a bright future ahead. They have high expectations entering into the final stretch before Sectionals and are up for the challenge.
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Girls Basketball finished the Northridge High School Holiday Tournament with a win over Knox High School, 54-37. With the win, Saint Joe went 2-2 for the tournament. Kenadie Schrock and Kayla Woods lead the team in scoring. Schrock contributed 17 while Woods added 13 against Knox High School. Trinity Parker also scored in double figures with 10 points on the day vs. Knox High School. Schrock averaged 15.5 for the tournament while Woods averaged 12 points over the two days of competition. Kayla Woods was named to the All-Tournament Team. The team recently celebrated Senior Night against John Glenn High School. Congratulations to seniors Grace Scicchitano and Eliana Lang!
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Boys and Girls Swimming and Diving recently picked up wins against Penn, Bremen, and Washington High School. Congratulations to our seniors, Charlie Weber, Maddi Crowley, Lainey Eder, Grace Kidder, Anna Kate Mereness, Emma Morris, and Izzy Shula!
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Wrestling Coach Logan Wishart brought the Saint Joe wresting community together for holiday fun and family with the inaugural Saint Joe Father-Son Dual. The team picked up a nice win over Washington High School, winning 54-12, and also beat Bishop Luers High School, 48-24 at the West Noble Super Dual. They celebrated Senior Night this week, with a Holy War win, beating Marian, 43-24. Congratulations to seniors, Jesus Rodriguez and Jacob Peterson.
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Bowling Margaret Matthys secured 2nd place with a 505 series, becoming the Sectional Girls Singles Runner-Up. She also clinched the highest Girls average and a spot on 1st Team All-Conference. With this success, she advances to Regionals. Congratulations and good luck to Margaret!
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If you or an alumnus you know is not receiving communications from Saint Joseph High School — we can fix that! We want to make sure everyone receives this monthly newsletter, Focus magazine, and any other news. Please contact alumni coordinator Henry Chandler to receive communications.
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