A Publication For The Newark Catholic Community

Fall 2004

Issue 25

NC Home Page

FROM THE PRINCIPAL 

Dear Friend of Newark Catholic High School,

Fall is usually a time of reflection and thanksgiving.  This season seems no different for each of us to think about the past and ponder the future no matter our age, where we live, or what our profession may be.  My “fall thinking” started a few weeks ago when I attended a funeral Mass for my uncle, Bobby Franks.  As I sat in the northeast pew of St. Francis de Sales Parish, I was blessed with a view of not only a lovely church, but over 100 of our students in attendance.  They were there in support of the family and also to represent the student body.  During the remarks at the end of the Mass, a letter was read from Coach Walt Reid, and a reflection was given by our current football coach, Bill Franks.  The message was clear to all of us, young and old, never to forget where one came from and to savor one’s time together as a family.  Being a part of the Newark Catholic Family is a gift and a responsibility.  We often use the word “tradition” in our conversations about our school, so much that it seems as though “N.C.H.S.” and are almost synonymous.  The most important tradition we share is the legacy of belonging to something greater than ourselves.  Whether it is a team, as school, a parish, or the universal church, we are unified in our faith in God, our family, and in each other.  What a wonderful gift this is to each of us.

We sang “Faith of Our Fathers” at the conclusion of Mass.  It was during this hymn that I remembered, once again, the importance of our tradition.  The song encourages us to embrace our future but to always remain faithful to our past.  We are called to carry on the tradition of telling our children about our eventful history but also to encourage them to prepare for and anticipate a future of hope and good fortune.  This is the faith our fathers (and of course, our mothers) instilled in each of us.  I encourage you to tell your children the stories of your past and while doing so, teach them the legacy of our faith.  We are blessed  to be a part of the Newark Catholic tradition.  Let us not take it for granted, but embrace it and share its goodness.

Please keep us in your prayers, as you will remain in ours.  May our Lady continue to bless us.

Sincerely,

CAMPUS MINISTRY

By Miss Susie Gribble

The Senior Class of 2005 abounds in leadership and they have shared their talents with a host of clubs and organizations at NC.  The Retreat Team is the recipient of their leadership through the team officers. 

The Retreat Team officers attended the Leadership Conference this summer where they began the process of planning this year’s schedule of Masses, retreats, prayer services and service projects.

Jillian W. has been accepted to the Diocesan Youth Council.  A representative from every high school and parish throughout the diocese is on the council.  They meet monthly to exchange information, learn from one another, and plan diocesan projects.  One of the DYC major projects is the Youth Rally, which will be held in March.          

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY’S TUTORING PROGRAM

By Senior Nick M.

Newark Catholic’s chapter of the National Honor Society has begun a program to provide tutors for students who find themselves having trouble with specific subjects in school.  “We’ve only had a few participants so far, but we think our numbers will increase once the quarter has ended and everyone sees how they are actually doing,” said the student in charge of the program.  The tutoring program offers aid in every subject in the NC curriculum.  All tutors are selected from a pool of students who are known to be both good at the requested subject and to be exceptionally friendly and helpful people.  Tutoring can take place at any time convenient to the student, including early in the morning, in study halls or after school.  To sign up for the program, all a student or parent has to do is take their request to Mrs. Rouch, the National Honor Society advisor.

HONORS BIOLOGY AND THE TUNDRA

By Mrs. Amy Vohsing

Mrs. Vohsing’s Honors Biology class is utilizing the Internet to communicate with researchers doing various forms of scientific studies.  Recently they emailed questions to a scientist doing investigations at a field station in Toolik, Alaska.  Tollik scientists are at the front lines of research that has been signaling that the Arctic is changing thanks to a warming climate.  Climate changes are going to happen here first.  The main goal at Toolik is to record long-term data on changes in tundra, water flow and wildlife.  The students were interested in the daily routine of a researcher out in the wild.  Students will be communicating with a researcher in Yellowstone Park about the fluctuation in wolf populations.

AUCTION

The Gift Solicitation Committee is asking for your help with the Auction, which will be held on April 30, 2005.  The success of the Auction is built from the generosity of time, talent and gifts. If you’d like to donate an item, or send a monetary gift, please contact Lydia Grieb at 740-345-2909.

FATHER SUBLER

Father Carl Subler, new associate pastor at St. Francis de Sales, stopped by recently for a visit with the students at Newark Catholic. Welcome, Fr. Subler, to our community!

THEOLOGY

By Mrs. Laura Ritchey

Is Grace real? Is God present in our lives today? Are there visible effects of God’s presence? These are good questions asked by many people today.  Unfortunately, many people think the answer is no.  The basis for their negative answer is the fact that today, people do not experience such things as major miracles such as bread coming down from heaven, seas parting, people walking on water, feeding a multitude with only a few pieces of bread and fish, and of course, a crucified man resurrected!

However if you take a closer look you might just be surprised at what is clearly present within our line of sight.  I think our desire to see major miracles becomes the obstacle that keeps us from truly seeing.  We need to adjust our vision in order to see what is really obvious and really present in our everyday lives. Let me give you an example of this from one of my students, junior Trent N.

Trent’s experience is remarkable in its simplicity. He wrote: “One day I was driving to the gas station and I …ran out of gas.  I was going to have to walk, when out of nowhere I saw this car stop behind me.  (The person driving the car) is not a very good friend.  This person saw that I needed help and helped me.  This person put all of our personal problems to the side...I thought that was grace."”

Trent, good eyesight!  This is a real example of grace.  That which is God’s presence in our lives that  has visible effects through our human actions.

CROSS COUNTRY

By Coach Rennie Bare

The 2004 NC Cross Country team has had a great season so far.  This year’s team consists of 16 boys and 18 girls. Both teams are working hard and steadily improving. The highlights for the boys team have been a 1^st place finish at the Circleville Invitational, and winning the Mid-State League championship at Millersport.  For the girls, highlights have been a 2^nd place finish at the Garaway Invitational, and a 5^th place finish at the prestigious Chick-fil-A Invitational in West Virginia, capped by a 2^nd place finish at the MSL meet.  The team is gearing up for the tournament beginning October 23^rd.

GOLF

By Coach Joe Giles

The NC golf team finished 4^th in the Mid-State League with a record of 11-7.  The highlight of the season was qualifying into the district finals.  At districts, the team shot our best 18-hole score of the year. Senior Aaron W. led the team in scoring. Fellow seniors Donny S., Michael A. and Brad F. contributed to the team’s success.

FOOTBALL

By Coach Bill Franks

The 2004 NC football season has been an exciting one.  At press time, we are 7-1 overall and 5-0 in the Mid-State League.  Remaining on the schedule are league rivals Fisher Catholic and Millersport.  We are currently ranked #5 in the State AP Poll and #1 in the region.  We look forward to the many challenges that remain and are excited for the upcoming playoff run.

VOLLEYBALL

By Coach Jeri Helfer

The Green Wave volleyball team finished the regular season at 20-2 clinching another MSL title with a

14-0 record.  Going into the district tournament as the #1 seed, they are hoping to bring home a 2^nd consecutive district title.  Highlights of the season have included defeating then 6^th ranked Division I Chaminade-Julienne Eagles in 2 games. For the third straight year, the Lady Wave have been named Academic All-Ohio for their team GPA of 3.79.

DRAMA CLUB

By Mr. Todd Baldosser

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”

On December 9, 10, 11, 2004, Newark Catholic High School will present Barbara Robinson’s popular yuletide novella, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”.  This beloved holiday tale will be presented at the OSU Black Box Theater on the campus of the Ohio State University Newark.  Performance times are 7:30 PM for Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.  Tickets are $6.00, and NC students are admitted free with student ID.  Advance ticket sales are strongly recommended.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLUB PICNIC

By Mrs. Marcia Story

The Newark Catholic French, Latin and Spanish Clubs met at the Stickle Farm on Sunday, October 3^rd for a picnic.  A meal of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, biscuits and gravy was provided by the clubs.  Mr. Stickle took the group on a hayride around the farm.  It was a beautiful autumn time for all the members who attended.

WHO’S NEW AT NEWARK CATHOLIC

This year we are happy to welcome three new teachers to NC.  Left to right they are: Mrs. Rachel Fout, Art teacher, Mrs. Tess Wigginton, Technology Coordinator, and Mr. David Wisler, Freshmen Religion teacher.  (Since this photo was taken, Mrs. Fout became the proud mother of baby boy, Cody. Congratulations to the whole family!)

WHAT’S NEW AT NEWARK CATHOLIC

 ART  By Mrs. Rachel Fout

We started the year off by creating “kiln gods”.  Kiln gods are legendary guardians of the potter’s fire.  They are created to protect a potter’s ware from harm during a kiln firing.  Students found inspiration for their kiln god from the question, “What are some things in your life that protect you?”  Other projects that ceramic students have been working on are Japanese tea bowls, slab boxes inspired by the Greek story, “Pandora’s Box”, and Coil Creations, sculptural pieces inspired by organic forms in nature.

 WHAT’S OLD IS NEW - MYTHOLOGY

By Mr. Bob Smith   

This year, upperclassmen have the opportunity to take a new Mythology class.  Students focus on the Hebrew, Babylonian, Egyptian, Greco-Roman, and Norse cultures.  Cross-cultural discussions focus on creation stories, heroes, tricksters, love stories, and death/rebirth stories.  The course offers the students the opportunity to discover other cultures and compare them to their own.  Through readings, personal journals, and mini projects, students are encouraged to develop an appreciation for the ancient cultures and a better understanding of their own beliefs.

NEWARK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL HAS CONNECTIONS!  

By Mrs. Tess Wigginton

Of course we have Internet connections, and every classroom is networked internally, but we also have video connections to the world.  Our Interactive Video Distance Learning (IVDL) equipment was initiated this year with an underwater class. No, the SPAM lab didn’t flood - Mrs. Vohsing brought her Biology II class to the lab to teleconference with a diver in Lake Michigan, who took them on an underwater tour of a lagoon.  “Diver Steve” showed the students the diverse ecosystem that exists under the docks and piers, and the students asked him questions about the various creatures and their impact on the Great Lakes. It was a great lead-in to the Stone Lab field trip, as the kids fished several of the same species out of Lake Erie that they had seen and learned about from Diver Steve.  Next month, the Advanced Biology classes will participate in a live heart surgery via IVDL.

The Media Class put a different spin on Interactive Video.  They produced a news broadcast for St. Francis de Sales School here in Newark.  We worked with Mrs. Merry, the IVDL/Tech teacher at St. Francis, and several teachers there to create a news broadcast that was relevant to their course of study.  Mrs. Walsh, Mrs. Elwell, and Mrs. Smith at SFDS all jumped on the opportunity, and they asked if we could focus on the upcoming elections.  The Media Class went to work gathering information on the election process, and used their knowledge to create interactive “elections” for the second, fifth, and eighth grades that would provide the children with a hands-on learning experience about the Electoral College. The broadcast also provided coverage of the Kerry/Edwards visit to Newark in September, and covered current weather, sports, and entertainment news.  Our news anchors and features reporters did an outstanding job of gearing their reports to each grade level.  What an amazing learning experience for all the students! We can’t wait to do more school-to-school collaboration.

Who know what’s next – a connection to Iraq, maybe?

IN MEMORIAM

Our sympathy is extended to the families of the following alumni, parents, and friends who have recently

passed away:

Terrence Paul Antritt (NC’62)

Mary Backenstos

David Behr

Donald Gene Brodsky

Jeannette Butt

David Core

Doris Cummings

Dominic DeCarlo

Rev. Clement Durbin

Bobby Franks  (SF’55)

Josephine Gartner Gray  (SF’58)

Charles Hartzell

L. Frances Keck

Lawrence Keck

Darrell King

Joseph Komada

Donald Long

Bonnie Lucero

Francis Luzio (SF’46)

Megan McCullough

Bob Neville

Florence Pennybaker

Hulda Prior

Francis Rubeck  (NC’60)

Myrtle Spaulding

Herbert Stanford

Gene Stevens

Frank Smith

Paul Swank (SF’52)

Raymond Szwarc

Rita Fischer Truck (SF’48)

William Wachaya (SF’35)

Walter Walker

Cynthia Warthen

ALUMNI NEWS

’93             Kyle Hutchison

                126 Marianna Dr SE

                Newark, OH  43056

Kyle received his Bachelor of Arts cum laude in Integrated Social Studies with a minor in Geography from the Ohio State University in June 2004. He is currently working on his Masters of Education from OSU, and this is his fourth season as an NC football coach. He served in the Marine Corps for 8 years and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. He and wife, Natalie, celebrated their 8^th wedding anniversary in July.

’94            Shawn P. Thomas

                775 Monroe  Apt 214

                Missoula, MT  59802

                spt143@hotmail.com

Shawn earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Miami University in ’99 and the Degree of Juris Doctor from the University of Montana in 2003.  He is a practicing attorney in Missoula.

’97             Katy Lusetti

                2304 C Shadow Valley Rd.

                High Point, NC  27265

                klusetti@highpoint.edu

Katy graduated from the University of Charleston in May 2004 with a Masters in Human Resources.  She is now the Assistant Volleyball Coach at High Point University in High Point, North Carolina.

’99             F. W. (Will) Englefield V

                6052 Fairmont Rd SE

                Heath , OH  43056

Will graduated from the Ohio State University in Spring 2004 with of Bachelor of Arts degree.  He will be the first of the 3^rd generation to work at Englefield Oil Company.

SEND US YOUR NEWS

Have you moved, married, had a baby, taken a new

job, been promoted? Please attach your information

with this form and mail to: NC Communique, One Green Wave Drive, Newark, OH  43055

Today’s date ___________   Grad year __________

Name _____________________________________

Maiden (if applicable) ________________________

Address ___________________________________

City, State, and Zip __________________________

Phone ______________Email __________________

REUNIONS

On August 6, 2004, the first graduating class of Newark Catholic, the Class of ‘59, joined with the Class of ‘64 at the Place Off the Square for dinner and camaraderie. The next day, they celebrated Mass and joined the NC Festival, where a great time was had by all.  Clair Schell, president of the NC Foundation, proposed a monetary challenge to benefit the Foundation.  The class who wins the challenge will be treated by the losing class to refreshments for the evening at the joint 2009 dinner.  At press time, the Class of ’64 was in the lead!  (Note: The Communiqué will publish reunion photos of any two classes with the same proposal to benefit the NC Foundation.)