Don Horkey“This is good stuff.”
Brian Dougherty, Ph.D., was referring to the top-notch education Archdiocese of Detroit schools offer in his remarks at the recent 40th annual Recognition Dinner co-sponsored by the Catholic High School League and the Office of Catholic Schools.
The superintendent of schools told an audience of 900-plus at DeCarlo’s Banquet Center that “our graduates a year ago received more than $150 million scholarships,” adding: “This year, we expect it to be higher.”
He noted that both archdiocesan elementary and high schools are testing above national norms — in the case of eighth graders, up to three years beyond their grade level — and 99.9 percent of high school graduates complete their two- or four-year college programs in time compared to the national average of six years.
“This is good stuff,” he proclaimed. “We don’t talk about it enough. We have to get the message out.”
Dougherty could as well as have been referencing the “good stuff” among the administrators and student-athletes who were being honored.
In presenting the Bishop John M. Quinn Elementary Teacher of the Year to Ann Wiggins, who has more than 20 years at Southgate St. Pius X School, CHSL director Vic Michaels said: “She works very hard instilling Catholic social teaching and Catholic values into her students.”
On Ann Marie Michol, the Bishop Quinn High School Teacher of the Year, for 15 years at Warren De La Salle, he said: “Ann demands much of her students, but she never fails to offer the intellectual and emotional support they need to succeed.”
On Donald Ancyna, the Sister Fran Nadolny Catholic School Principal of the Year, with a total of 44 years in teaching and administration since starting in 1990 as principal at St. Clair Shores St. Joan of Arc School: “His commitment to Catholic education is based on his belief that well-formed young people are the Church’s greatest hope for the future.”
Fifty-two teachers were recognized for their “excellence in teaching,” and 28 others were saluted on their retirement.
Then, there was more “good stuff,” the 2014-15 Scholar-Athletes selected from among 147 nominees in 15 girls sports and 125 nominees in 14 boys sports for their outstanding achievement in scholarship, leadership and athletics.
The Girls Sports Scholar-Athletes:
Edith Glusac Volleyball Award – Katherine Carlson, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Lacrosse Award – Amanda Petzold, Bloomfield Hills Sacred Heart Academy
Frank Connolly Basketball Award – Kara Holinski, Bloomfield Hills Marian
Sr. Mary Louise Affholter Track Award – Casey Lyons, Riverview Gabriel Richard
Bowling Award – Kailyn Delonis, Livonia Ladywood
Harvey Barcus Tennis Award – Mackenzie Zierau, Farmington Hills Mercy
Pom Pon Award – Jacqueline Rola, Notre Dame Prep
Soccer Award – Tess Carolin, Royal Oak Shrine
Skiing Award – Rachael Wagner, Mercy
Ice Hockey Award – Sarah Hinchmann, Warren Regina
Deloris Yager Swimming Award – Allison Fedler, Regina
Cheerleading Award – Michelle Bade, Ladywood
Field Hockey Award – Christina Meyer, Ladywood
Rev. John Zwers Softball Award – Gina Munson, Regina
Hal Schram Cross Country Award – Madelyne Luddy, Shrine
Golf Award – Cordelia Chan, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood
The Boys Sports Scholar-Athletes:
Tom Connell Golf Award – Glen Piot Jr., Novi Detroit Catholic Central
Frank Guyott Cross Country Award – Dane Miller, Dearborn Divine Child
Joe Pascuzzi Track Award – David Rose, Divine Child
Bowling Award – Joe Alvord, Catholic Central
Msgr. Carroll Deady Tennis Award – Grant Severyn, Warren De La Salle
Brother George Synan Soccer Award – Jonathan R. Williams, De La Salle
Skiing Award – Andrew Davis, Catholic Central
Mike Jolly Lacrosse Award – Hunter Hoensheid, Notre Dame Prep
Sam Madden Basketball Award – DeMarco Dickerson, Detroit Loyola
Bernard Krzywada Swimming Award – Francis Misra, Cranbrook Kingswood
Ralph Owen Baseball Award – Jonathan Lapshan, Divine Child
Mike Rodriguez Wrestling Award – McLain Shearin, Madison Heights Bishop Foley
Ice Hockey Award – Ryan Michael Barrett, Divine Child
John Shada Football Award – Christopher Kelly, Shrine
Add U-D Jesuit athletes to college list: Six athletes from University of Detroit Jesuit are among 181 CHSL athletes who will be headed to the college level this fall. The information was received too late to be included in the listing in the June 12 issue. Those going to Division 1 or 2 universities will benefit from athletic scholarships, while those attending Division 3 or smaller or private colleges will be afforded financial assistance.
Baseball – Andrew Novetsky (Kalamazoo College).
Football – Ryan Brand (U.S. Air Force), Craig Carter (Mercyhurst University), Tyrone Ramsey (Howard University).
Soccer – Zack Castle (Olivet College), Nate Sier (Findlay University).
Don Horkey may be reached at [email protected].
