The Cougar Connection for Alumni and Friends

Sister Lucia announced that after 39 years of service to Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School, she has made the decision to retire and will be moving back to Chardon, Ohio to be with her

fellow Sisters of Notre Dame. She will be with us until the end of the school year. We will miss Sister greatly and appreciate all that she has done for our school.

4171 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34232 • www.cmhs-sarasota.org • 941.379.2647 • Spring 2018

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The Miracle League, led by CMHS teacher, Mrs. Betty Rogers, began their Spring Season working with Miracle League of Manasota.

Giving Back

Student SpotlightSenior Garrett Turner was named a National Merit

Finalist. It has been a 16-month process which started with the PSAT in his junior year. Garrett has attained finalist status based on SAT scores, academic excellence, rigorous course selection throughout high school, and an excellent essay; all of which were endorsed by our administration. We are honored to have him represent Cardinal

Mooney High School in the national competition, and we wish him success as he continues to be reviewed and considered as a national scholar recipient.

Junior Sam Koscho was presented the 2018 General H. Norman Schwarzkopf Award by Ms. Lewis. The West Point Society of Florida has selected five recipients. The students selected demonstrate exceptional performance in academics, athletics, community service, as well as good citizenship. Sam is the first CMHS student to receive this award.

Mooney Baseball Varsity Baseball’s spring home opener kicked off with Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Sarasota Sheriff’s Office Colonel Kurt Hoffman joined JV Head Coach Capt. Enos, JV Assistant Coach Lt. Mercurio and CMHS parents Lt. Dumer and Deputy Binkley as well as members of the SSO Honor Guard to kick off the opening day of spring baseball.

Creative Writing Students from Mrs. McGovern’s Creative Writing class have been involved in a pen pal letter exchange with Incarnation teacher Joan Schwartz’s third graders

for over 10 years, exchanging letters monthly throughout first semester. CMHS students took a trip over to meet their young pals at Incarnation School and had a Valentine’s Day party with them. The kids at both schools really enjoy bonding with each other.

Trivia Night St. Vincent de Paul Society would like to thank all those who supported and participated in this year’s Trivia Night. We exceeded all expectations this year with our final total of $3100.00 donated to All Children’s Hospital Foundation.

L-R: Seniors, Brandon Zozaya, Brian Bauer, and Mrs. Rogers with CMHS Class of 2017 Alums Kyle Stevens and Ronnie Carabbia

L-R: Chucko the Clown, Kristen Barbarito, and Lily O’Neal with a Miracle League player.

L-R: Dana Holloran, Brandon Zozaya, Ryan Blechta, Jacqueline Case, Gavin Schrantz, and Hannah Sanborn

L-R: Katie and Anna Kollmeyer with a Miracle League player

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Please Join Us for

Sister Lucia’s Farewell ReceptionMay 20, 2018

11 a.m. Mass at CMHS All Saints Chapel

Celebrated by Msgr. Gerard Finegan

Catered reception to follow

R.S.V.P. Required by May 16, 2018 by contacting

Advancement@cmhs-sarasota.org or 941.379.2647

In lieu of gifts, Sister requests donations to the Sr. Lucia Capital Campaign Fund

Dear Cardinal Mooney Community,

As the end of the school year approaches, allow me to take a moment to share with everyone some of the exciting things that have been happening at CMHS.

The Selby Renovation Project is nearing completion, and we expect to move into the new reception area shortly after returning from Easter recess. This project also includes upgraded fencing around the perimeter of the campus, as well as a new security camera system. We would like to thank our alumni and dinner auction donors, as we have been able to add three courtyard areas that allow our students an area to eat lunch, enjoy an athletic event, and even attend a class in the Florida sunshine. We have reorganized our Advancement and Maintenance departments, added a full time college counselor and a full time Dean of Curriculum, and expanded the Dean of Students’ role. We are currently in the process of working on a strategic plan, and we are expecting this to be completed during the 2018-2019 school year. Our freshmen are working with the Ray Dass SAT prep program through their Math and English classes, and we will be expanding this to our grades 10 and 11. Starting next school year, we are adding two new Advanced Placement classes: Environmental Science and 2D Studio Art. This is an exciting time for our school and community!

I pray everyone had a blessed Easter and thank you for your continued support of Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School.

Go Cougars!

Stefan GatesInterim Principal

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includes a school mass and reception. We look forward to seeing you next year!

Donate Your Time, Talent, and Treasure • Become a Volunteer!

Campus NewsAcademic Olympics The Academic Olympics team wrapped up their season this March. Congratulations to Doug Polk and Ryan Blechta who were nominated by an all-county nominating board to participate in Orlando at the State Academic Olympic Match that will take place in April. Good luck!

Annual Dinner Auction Thank you to our CMHS Community for helping make our 2018 Wild West Dinner Auction a success. A resounding thank you to the Evanoff Family, the White Buffalo staff, and our main event sponsors, Freedom Boat Club, Treasure Cove, and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church,

as well as Beneva Flowers who generously donated our flowers. Thank you to the many donors, attendees, and

volunteers, who supported our largest fundraiser of the year. We could not do it without you!

Grandparents Day Thank you to all the grandparents who spent the morning with their CMHS student. Over 250 people attended this yearly event, which

Spring Musical Congratulations to the Theatre Department on their spring musical Nunsense: The Mega Musical. Directed

by theatre teacher Kyle Lacertosa, the show featured a cast of 19 CMHS students and everyone who attended enjoyed the show.

CMHS College Fair Our Guidance Department hosted a College Fair for our sophomore and junior classes. It was a successful morning with over 50 colleges in attendance. Special thanks to our College Advisor, Ann LaFemina, and the CMHS CARE Board for such a great event!

L-R: Ryan Blechta, Nick Barbarito, Katie Beckman, Sam Koscho, Doug Polk, Jack Koscho, Ms. Kathy Jewell, Ramil Cabo, Garrett Turner, Mr. Ben Farmer

Junior Class Recognition Junior Class Recognition was held on February 23, 2018. This event offers a blessing of a student’s class ring, rosary, or other special

memento by Father Matt as they prepare for their senior year.

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Alumni Spotlight

Reunions

Alexandra Barth, ’13, graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor’s in Chemistry, and is currently enrolled at Caltech pursuing a Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry. She was recently selected as one of 40 finalists out of 700 for the Hertz Fellowship, a $250,000 fellowship that is the largest and most prestigious monetary prize for graduate students in the sciences. According to Alexandra “Caltech is the school you attend if you want to be a university professor, and the Hertz is the fellowship you receive if you want to be a professor at MIT”.

She also says, “Cardinal Mooney is definitely the environment where I first started to find my passion for science, between volunteering over 200 hours including summers at GWiz Science Museum, tutoring in math and sciences as part of National Honor Society, and receiving the challenge and guidance of Ms. Holloran for AP Biology and Mr. Greene for AP Chemistry.” Alexandra also says “STEM-centered accomplishments can reflect really well on CMHS.” Best of luck Alexandra!

CALLING ALL ALUMNI!Homecoming 2018 Is Scheduled for October 26 • Friday Night: Fish Fry and Football Game • Saturday: Class Sponsored Events • Sunday: Alumni Mass and Reception Class of 1968 is celebrating 50 years Class of 1973 is celebrating 45 years Class of 1978 is celebrating 40 years Class of 1983 is celebrating 35 years Email: MooneyReunion83@gmail.com Class of 1988 is celebrating 30 years Class of 1993 is celebrating 25 years Class of 1998 is celebrating 20 years Class of 2003 is celebrating 15 years Class of 2008 is celebrating 10 years Class of 2013 is celebrating 5 years Please contact Karen Mercurio kmercurio@cmhs-sarasota.org to help plan your class reunion

Have News? Please Call the Advancement Office at 941-379-2647

MAY 1 & 2

Coming Soon!

CMHS 24 Hour Online Giving Challenge

STRENGTHENED BYTHE PATTERSON FOUNDATION

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Class Notes

Keep in Touch! Email Updates to kmercurio@cmhs-sarasota.org

Class of 1975 Congratulations to Tony Ierulli ’75, and member of the 1972 CMHS Football State Champions, who was recently named Head Football Coach of Limestone College in South Carolina. We wish you the best of luck! Class of 2005

Jennifer Kotwicki ‘05 married Dr. Sanjay Hegde on February 10, 2018. They reside in Tampa, Florida.

Class of 2007 Sarah Ribeiro ‘07 Montano, graduated from St. Leo University with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. She met her husband Erick as they were getting their MBA in International Business. Sarah is now a Senior Associate at Jones Hay Marschall & McKinney, PC. Erick works with Texas DPS and is an officer in the Army Reserves. They have two children, James and Adrian, and currently reside in San Angelo, Texas. Class of 2008 Chantal Nicholson transferred to London, England in the summer 2017 and was promoted to Head of Sales and Marketing for all of the Nordic and United Kingdom for the international company, Simple Show. Class of 2012

Emili Cicora ‘12 married Zack Larson on Saturday, February 17, 2018.

Leah Schwartz ‘12 married John Holdzkom on November 11, 2017. They reside in Nokomis, Florida.

Sports NewsMOONEY SOCCER

Both the boys and girls soccer teams claimed the District Title this season and both advanced to the regional semi-final round where they wrapped up their seasons.

The Cougar girl’s soccer team won the 2018, 2A, District 11 Championship title for the 13th year and 4th straight when they beat SMA 8-0 in the finals.

The Cougar boy’s soccer team also claimed their 12th district title (3rd in a row) when they beat DeSoto 2-0 in the championship game. In the Regional tournament quarter-final game, the Cougars beat Clewiston 4-0.

Class of 2014 Michael Bello ’14, is the new Director of Youth and Young Adults for the Church of Saint Patrick in Sarasota, FL. After being a team member and student of his CMHS Senior Class Ministry Team, and with the guidance of some of our CMHS staff, Michael decided to seek out opportunities to be an instrument for God and His Kingdom. Michael did so by taking part in the community, getting involved at local churches, and starting his own organization to help the youth. Now his walk of faith has helped him to obtain his position at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church.

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Sports NewsPAUL MAECHTLE

Cardinal Mooney announced the appointment of Paul Maechtle as the head football coach. Coach Maechtle is a Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall-of-Fame member and one of the area’s most successful high school coaches. We are excited to have Coach Maechtle at the reins of our program!

WEIGHTLIFTING Our Cougar weightlifting team had a great showing at the District Meet in early March. Mooney had 4 lifters qualify and advance to regionals. The top medalists were: Sam Linares - 3rd place in 219 Weight Class, Sam Koscho - 3rd place in the 169 Weight Class, Jack Koscho - 4th place in the 199 Weight Class, and Mickey Thayer - 5th place in the 219 Weight Class.

L-R: Mickey Thayer, Jack Koscho, Sam Linares, and Sam Koscho who will advance to the Weightlifting Regionals after finishing in the top six at the District event.

2018 HALL OF FAME Pictured L-R: Steve Christie, Monsignor Gerard M. Finegan Service Award Winner, Dave Nufer ‘67, John Moore ‘79, Jackie Gruters Caouette ‘95, Mac Nalls ‘65, Gary Tegenkamp ’65 and Bob Smithers ’65. Not Pictured Tim Holleran,’65

Congratulations to Bryce Williams, who signed to play football with the University of Minnesota; Max Smyley, who will be playing baseball with the Augustana Vikings: and Dalton Plattner, who will be playing baseball with Florida International University.

Junior, Connor Nicholson (left), and senior, Patrick Kenefick, won the Lightning Cup at the Lightning High School Hockey League final game played at Amalie Arena Feb. 16. Their team, the East Manatee Admirals, won the league in the Lightning division for Sarasota, Manatee, and Tampa area. Connor was awarded MVP. Patrick is the team captain. Their team went on to win the State Championship and competed in the Nationals in Plymouth, MN, March 22-26.

Congratulations to the CMHS Beach Volleyball team who became SSAC Class A District Champs after beating Bishop Verot.

BEACH VOLLEYBALL

COLLEGE SIGNINGS

ICE HOCKEY

4171 Fruitville Road Sarasota, FL 34232-1618

Alumni News for the Now and Then We love to hear from you! Please send your stories, news, updates and photos to Karen Mercurio, Advancement and Alumni Office, at kmercurio@cmhs-sarasota.org or call 941-379-2647. You can also update your contact information on our website at www.cmhs-sarasota.org.

in memoriamMichael Andrew Nugent ’07, passed away January 2, 2018. Dorothy Clare Oliva, Friend of CMHS and parent to Michelle Oliva ‘77, Gina Corbridge ‘78, Dino Oliva ’83, passed away January 10, 2018. John Padden, Friend of CMHS and Grandparent to Jack Jeffrey ’20, passed away on February 9, 2018. Bruce Albert Bryan, father to Monica Bryan Copeland ’96, and grandfather to Tyler ’19 and Gabe ’20 Copeland passed away March 8, 2018. Mary Cassinelli, CMHS Friend and grandmother to Mitchell ’13, Parker ’15, and Peyton ’19 MacPhail passed away March 15, 2018. Richard Brantley, father to Lamar Brantley ’85 passed away March 17, 2018.

5th Annual Cougar Corn Toss Tournament Saturday, May 5, 2018

Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School Football Field Registration 6:00 p.m. Bags Fly 6:45

$60 for a team of two • Team Name ___________________________________________ (includes meal and unlimited non-alcholic beverages) Player #1 ________________________Address____________________________City ________________

State _____ Zip _______ Cell Number _______________________ Email __________________________

Player #2 ________________________Address____________________________City ________________State _____ Zip _______ Cell Number _______________________ Email __________________________

$1000 Event Sponsor $500 Adult Beverage Tent $100 Family or Corporate Court Sponsor $500 Beverage Tent Family/Corporate Name ____________________________ Address________________________________

City ________________________________State __________________ Zip _________________________

Phone _______________________ Email __________________________ Mail form and payment to: CMHS Office of Advancement, 4171 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, FL 34232 Questions call Karen Mercurio at 941-379-2647 or kmercurio@cmhs-sarasota.org

Corn Toss ChallengeCorn Toss Challenge