November-December 2016

CatholicHighlights

Your Monthly Lancaster Catholic Newsletter

A Unique OpportunityTo Give Back

IN THIS Issue3 MONTHLY Class Notes4 ALUMNI Spotlight: So Many Smiles - Shannon Cruz ‘136 STUDENT Spotlight:A Pair of Godspell Q&A’s8 MONTHLY Feature:A Unique Opportunity To Give Back12 THIS MONTH In PicturesIN THE News 16 LCHS Blood Drive Was A Success

16 Thanksgiving Food Drive Update

17 LCHS Senior Wins Diocesan Christmas Card Contest

19 Faculty & Staff Ugly Sweater Contest

19 Winter Athletic Volunteer Opportunties

20 Athletic Hall of Honor Set

21 Fall Sports Wrap-Up

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Porscha Speller ‘13, a junior at West Chester, earned PSAC Women’s Basketball Eastern Division Athlete of the Week after posting a career-high 27 points in WCU’s victory over Slippery Rock.

Aaron Rathsam ‘14, Elizabethtown College midfielder was selected to the second-team Landmark Conference Offensive Player of the Year in Men’s Soccer, named to the Landmark Conference’s Fall Academic Honor Roll and the Landmark Conference’s Fall All-Sportsmanship Team.

Kody P. Biddle ‘14, graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

Sarah (King) Ganse ‘98, was named the president-elect of the Junior League of Lancaster, Pa.

Luke McDonald ‘13, an offensive lineman at Carnegie Mellon was selected to the CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) Academic All-District Football Team.

Shannon Cruz ‘13, a senior student-athlete on Millersville’s Cross Country team, finished 21st at the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional 6K and earned all-region honors.

Emily Martin ‘13, a senior at Elizabethtown College, helped the Lady Blue Jays Basketball team win their 5th Terry Greene Tip-Off Classic championship at Franklin & Marshall. Emily scored 19 points and hauled in 16 rebounds to claim the tournament Most Valuable Player honors.

Robert Cybulski III ‘13, along with five other members of Rochester Institute of Technology’s Theme Park Enthusiasts won every award in a national engineering competition to design amusement park rides in Orlando, Florida.• The Ryerson Invitational Thrill Design

Competition, hosted by Universal Creative, invited teams from four colleges to create theme park rides or make modifications to existing rides.

• They were judged for innovativeness, presentation skills and effectiveness.

• There were awards for each challenge and an overall award.

• The RIT team won all four. They were also offered internships by Universal Creative, the research and development group responsible for designing rides and attractions for Universal Parks & Resorts theme parks.

MONTHLY Class Notes

Madame Cicioni’s Biannual Alumni Trip to France Madame Rachel Cicioni is planning her biannual trip to France, and would like to invite LCHS Alumni to attend. You can sign up on her facebook page by clicking here, or reach her via email at rcicioni@lchsyes.org.

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ALUMNI Spotlight

Shannon Cruz ‘ 13 has been all s(miles) and ran many miles since graduating from Catholic High in the summer of 2013 as a member of the women’s cross country, indoor, and outdoor track teams at Millersville University. Not only an athlete, Shannon also represented her team as a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and worked on campus as a peer health educator. After countless smiles and running a total of 6,892 miles during her career, Shannon looks forward to graduation on December 18.

Shannon began her cross country/track career in the fall of 2013 and hit the ground running. As a freshman, she finished as the front runner in all seven races, finished 18th at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championships, earned All-PSAC recognition, and saved her best 6K time of 21:30.90 to finish 16th in the NCAA Atlantic Regionals and earn All-Region honors.

Shannon returned to the conference and regional stage again the following year. During her sophomore season, Shannon finished 22nd at the PSAC

Championships, earned second team All-PSAC recognition, finished 20th at the NCAA Atlantic Regional, and earned All-Region honors for an equally impressive year.

Despite a stress fracture in her femur that caused her to miss a few races at the beginning of her junior season, Shannon was the top Marauder finisher in every race she participated in. This past fall was Shannon’s last as a runner representing Millersville Athletics.

“I personally wanted to be an All-Region performer. For my last race in my college career, I wanted to represent Millersville well. I expected to end on a good note, as I will always

So many S(miles) – Shannon Cruz ‘13

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ALUMNI Spotlightlook back at my running career as a huge part of my life and who I am.”

Shannon finished 21st with a time of 23:52 at the NCAA Atlantic Regional 6K, accomplishing her goal of becoming a three-time all PSAC and NCAA Atlantic Region selection. She is only the forth woman in program history at Millersville to earn this recognition three times.

Although her cross country career has come to an end, her running has not.

“I ran the Rehoboth Beach Marathon shortly after cross country season on December 3rd. It was my first marathon ever and my coaches always told me I would be good at it - the longer the race, the better I perform.”

Running alongside her former LCHS coach, Brooke Magni, Shannon finished the marathon in 3:18. In her first marathon, Shannon finished 3rd woman overall and her time qualified to run the Boston Marathon, which she will run in 2018.

Now that her collegiate athletic career and the marathon have passed, Shannon looks forward to her graduation from Millersville University of December 18th. She studied Art with a concentration in

Fine Art Metals and hopes to become a jeweler. Currently, Shannon is gaining valuable experience working full-time at Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, assisting on the sales floor and with designing jewelry and engagement rings. She recently assisted with the design of an engagement ring for a fellow Millersville student-athlete!

Shannon is thankful for the time she spent at Millersville and the education at LCHS that paved the way for a memorable collegiate experience.

“LCHS fostered my drive for success, passion for hard work, and love for running. I appreciate everything that my teachers and coaches have taught me and done for me throughout my career. Because of the endless support, I have learned to overcome obstacles and appreciate the good moments. So many s(miles)!”

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STUDENT SpotlightA Pair of Godspell Q&As - Noah Cunningham ‘17 & Faith Nikolaus ‘17When did you become interested in Theatre?

When I first came here, I didn’t think I could do it, but I always wanted to. I was on the stage crew as a freshman and sophomore, but I decided to try out and I fell in love with it.Now when you hear the Book of Matthew in this Advent Season, how does that make you feel?

When I’m at mass or at school and they read the gospel reading, and those are my lines, it makes me smile.Every year, directors and actors modernize Godspell to make it work for them and their cast. What did you do to make it your role?

I didn’t want to copy the original players who played Jesus before me. A lot of people did the flower, or the Superman shirt, or a clown, but as a cast, we wanted to do our own thing. We all designed our own costumes and characters to who we wanted to be.

I wanted to show myself as a leader. So in the beginning, Judas gives me a military shirt to show that I’m a leader, but then I slowly go away from it to show a lot of costume play. In the second act, I wore a white shirt to go away from that.

How did this role impact your faith?It opened my eyes to everything. In

order to fully get into the role, you need to understand your lines, and the only way to do that was the fully understand the Bible. So, I know more of what it means now. What’s next for you?

I’m going to go back to guitar ensemble and rock band ensemble, but not the spring musical. I’d like to do more in college. I’ll be studying Wildlife Biology at Unity College in Maine.

Noah Cunningham played the role of Jesus in this fall’s musical, ‘Godspell’.

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STUDENT SpotlightWhen did you become interested in Theatre?

In grade school I was a dancer and I came and saw Lancaster Catholic shows. I knew I wanted to do it, so I auditioned my freshman year and have been in every musical since.Did you get the role that you wanted?

I actually auditioned for a different role with a different song, but then, they told me I should audition for another role with the song “By My Side” and I ended up getting called back for “By My Side”. But I am so glad I did because that song fits my voice a lot better and the emotion in the song was perfect for me.

What did this musical push you to do that maybe you wouldn’t have done?

I’ve always considered myself a dancer, and I went into Godspell a little timid because I’ve always been just a dancer. But everyone pushed me to open up and be more than that, and throughout this experience, I’ve realized that I can do more than just dance.Every year, directors and actors modernize Godspell to make it work for them and their cast. What did you do to make it your role?

My charachter was originally going to be a maid, but we adapted it to a waitress because I felt like I could connect with it more personally in the modern setting that it was in.How did this role impact your faith?

Because of Godspell, all the gospels at mass that were in the show come to life because it makes me remember how we transformed them. And now it transforms the way I look at scripture at mass. It made my faith stronger. The whole class bonded as a community because of the love that we saw through each other and learned because of the show.What’s next for you?

I’m going to try out for Shrek the Musical in the spring and continue to do more dance shows and auditions for college.

Faith Nikolaus played the role of a waitress in this fall’s musical, ‘Godspell’.

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MONTHLY FeatureA Unique Opportunity To Give Back

Lawrence Kaufhold Jr. never knew the six Crusaders that served as his pall bearers. The 90-year-old unclaimed

veteran who served in the Navy during World War II passed away on November 8 and didn’t have anyone to take him to his final resting place.

That’s when LCHS alum Chad Snyder of Snyder Funeral Homes & Crematory invited six Crusaders to respond to their Christian obligation to bury the dead as a corporal work of mercy.

Snyder was able to maintain Kaufhold’s Honorable Discharge documents from the Veteran’s Administration which allowed the Funeral Home to bury him at Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery with proper military honors.

“What a meaningful opportunity to know what it means to serve their country,” Snyder said of the six LCHS volunteers. “It allowed them a hands-on experience that they may have never had before.”

Ben Collister, Bryan Downey, Miles McCaskey, Devin McMahon, Mike Nicklaus and RJ Van Tash all recog-nized the importance of the matter and immediately volunteered to serve as pall bearers. McMahon works with the homeless of Lancaster as part of his service project, while the rest of the upperclassmen are active mem-bers of the school’s Varsity Club that works closely with veterans.

“It was a tremendous honor to be a part of it,” McMahon explained. “I have so much respect for veterans. They are incredible people, each and every one of them.”

On a brisk, windy November after-noon, the six Crusaders carried the casket to a peaceful pavilion and were joined by about a dozen and a half veterans who displayed flags, prayed, played ‘Taps’ or paid tribute by firing volley shots. No one in attendance knew Lawrence, but that didn’t matter.

It was a tremendous honor just to be a part of it.

“ “

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MONTHLY Feature“He risked everything going over-

seas to fight for us,” Downey said, “so I think it’s the least we can do to pay him back and honor him.”

After the brief ceremony, Snyder was handed the US Flag that was draped over the coffin. He donated it back to the cemetery to fly in Kaufhold’s memory.

And each student received an empty rifle shell to serve as remembrance of the time that they put service above self for someone in need.

“It breaks my heart that he didn’t have any family,” McMahon said, “but I’m just glad that we were here for him to give him what he deserves.”

Top Left: Chad Snyder discusses the duties of being a pall bearer prior to the trip. Top Right: The Crusaders deliver the coffin to the cemetery. Bottom Left: The ceremony. Bottom Right: (l-r) Miles McCaskey, Michael Nicklaus, Joe Sahd, LCHS Director of Constituent Relations, Chad Snyder, Devin McMahon, RJ Van Tash, Ben Collister and Bryan Downey. Page 8: Devin McMahon speaks with a veteran after the ceremony.

Military Burial Photo Gallery

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MONTHLY Feature

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The Lancaster Catholic High School Alumni Association cordially invites you to our Winter Mixer at

Thursday, January 12th from 5:30pm - 7:30pm.

A variety of appetizers and beverages will be served.

Please RSVP to Joe Sahd ‘01 by calling (717) 509-0313 or emailing jsahd@lchsyes.org on or before January 6th.

750 Poplar Street | twodudes.com

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IN THE NewsThis Month In Photos

The cornucopia from All Saints Mass on November 1st designed by Campus Ministry Director Deb Waters.

Izzy Miller, Will Riva and the rest of the Varsity Club put out American flags on Juliette Avenue for Veterans Day on November 11th.

Faith Morris participates in this year’s Blood Drive. The Lancaster Catholic family contributed 57 pints of blood to the Central PA Blood Bank on November 8th.

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IN THE NewsThis Month In Photos

Poet Joe Ross visited school to read some of his poems to Mrs. Dana Kin-sey’s poetry class and other interested students on November 11th.

Fayra Molina chooses her pie option from Mrs. Shannon Dietz during the school’s Thanksgiving meal on November 15th.

The ensemble from Godspell performed their musical and acting talents from November 17th-19th.

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IN THE NewsThis Month In Photos

Bishop Ronald Gainer attended LCHS Mass to bless this year’s Ad-vent Wreaths on November 29th.

Dr. and Mrs. Jim Artuso stopped in to see the new weight room equipment that they donated in loving memory of their son, Gregory ‘09. Pictured here with Athletic Director Rich Hinnenkamp and PE Teacher Pete Anderson.

Members of the Respect Life Club spearheaded this year’s Thanksgiving Meal Drive on November 22nd, which fed 52 local families.

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IN THE NewsThis Month In Photos

Mrs. Kathy Alton poses with her daughter, Amy, with her Ugly Christ-mas Sweater on December 7th. The faculty and staff wore the sweaters for the annual Teacher Appreciation Breakfast, and the students voted Mrs. Amanda Calhoun the winner of the ugliest sweater.

The chorus performs at the annual Christmas Concert on December 7th.

Father Alan Wolfe presides over LCHS Mass on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception with the Extraordinary Eucharistic Minis-ters on December 8th.

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IN THE NewsLCHS Blood Drive Was A Success

Thank you to the 69 students, parents, teachers and staff who participated in the National Honor Society’s Fall Blood Drive. Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank staff members were able to collect 57 units of blood. Donors saved 171 patient lives in our area. Mark your calendars for the Spring Blood Drive that will take place on Thursday, March 12.

Thank you to the 69 students, parents, teachers and staff who participated in the National Honor Society’s Fall Blood Drive. Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank staff members were able to collect 57 units of blood. Donors saved 171 patient lives in our area. Mark your calendars for the Spring Blood Drive that will take place on Thursday, March 12.

Thanksgiving Food Drive Update

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IN THE NewsLCHS Senior Wins Diocesan Christmas Card ContestOn Wednesday, December 7,

Annie St. Denis, a senior student at Lancaster Catholic High School, was pronounced one of four winners of the Diocese of Harrisburg’s Christmas Card Contest. The contest was open to students in 39 Catholic Schools in the Diocese, representing over 11,000 students. The winning artwork, pictured above, will be used to illustrate one of the Christmas cards that Bishop Ronald Gainer will send out this holiday season.The theme for this year’s contest

asked for the students’ interpretation of the birth of Jesus Christ, as seen through his or her eyes. Each school was allowed to submit one entry per grade, using any medium of art. The submissions were judged by Diocesan employees and narrowed down to the top three in each grade category.A winner from those finalists was

then selected by Bishop Gainer. Bishop Gainer’s winning selections included:• Grades K-2: Isabella Jones, 2nd

grade at Holy Name of Jesus School

• Grades 3-5: Leah Brighter, 4th grade at St. Leo the Great School

• Grades 6-8: Abigail Sell, 8th grade at Annunciation BVM School

• Grades 9-12: Annie St. Denis, 12th grade at Lancaster Catholic High School

Bishop Gainer will host a luncheon for the winners, their parents, teachers, and principals on Wednesday, December 12. Congratulations Annie and all contest winners!

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IN THE Newslchs

summer camp

2o17sneak peak

contact the Summer Camp Co-Directors, Mrs. Amanda Calhoun and Mr. Greg Dietz at summercamps@lchsyes.org

mark your calendars now! Camp registration will be available in February

Youth Athletics Camps Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball,

Girls Soccer, Girls Volleyball,Field Hockey, Speed and Explosion,

Football, and Baseball

Youth Academic Camps Dissection, Lancaster History, WorldLanguages, Aquatics, and WE CARE Learning to be stewards of the

environment while fulfilling God’s callto care for our common home

fine & Performing artsJazz Band, Percussion, Art, Vocal

performance, Concert Band, Strings, and Acting

Academic camps for current/incoming LCHS students

including Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 prep, SAT English, and SAT Math

Academic classes for credit for current/incoming LCHS

students including Geometry (1 credit) and Health (.5 credits) and m o r e !

We might be closing in on the winter months, but Lancaster Catholic is already thinking about the summer !

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IN THE NewsFaculty & Staff Ugly Sweater Contest

On Wednesday, December 7 the faculty and staff at LCHS were invited to participate in an Ugly Sweater Contest, voted by the student body. Teachers and staff gathered together in the morning for a friendly breakfast while a panel of staff judges decided on the top 9 contestants.

The Top 9 ugliest sweaters included Mrs. Calhoun, Mrs. Harvey, Mr. Carver, Mr. Sharp, Mrs. Hamer, Mr. Martin, Mrs. Cotchen, Mrs. Martin, and Mrs. Fink!Pictures of the Top 9 contestants

were displayed on the TV monitor in the cafeteria during lunches. Students used their iPad to cast their vote, only able to vote one time.Dressed as Cindy Lou Who, Mrs.

Calhoun came in first place, receiving 34% of the votes! Mrs. Harvey and Mr. Carver followed with 2nd and 3rd place in the contest.

Winter Athletic Volunteer OpportuntiesA sign-up genius page is now

available to volunteer to help at Lancaster Catholic High School’s winter athletic contests. Click here to volunteer! Thank you for your support.

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IN THE NewsAthletic Hall of Honor SetJoin us on Saturday, January 14 for

the Lancaster Catholic High School Athletic Hall of Honors Ceremony during halftime of the boys’ basketball game. The three 2017 inductees are:• Tony ArcudiAfter coaching basketball for years at

St. Anthony’s Parochial School, Tony Arcudi joined the LCHS family in 1987 as an assistant boys basketball coach. After 27 years as an assistant coach at Lancaster Catholic, Coach Arcudi, affectionately known as “Pops” by players over the years, was looked up to by players and families as mentor and father figure. Coach Arcudi coached for a total of over 54 years and dedicated his time to teaching, molding, and mentoring young boys into better player and people.

• Kristin Hirschler Gilhool ‘90An LCHS student from 1986-1990,

Kristin was a two year letter winner in field hockey, two year letter winner in track & field, and four year letter winner in girls basketball. As a three-year starter and co-caption her senior year, Kristen helped LCHS to three L-L League Section Championships, two L-L League Championships, three PIAA District III Championships, PIAA AAA State Championship Runner-up in 1988, and the PIAA AAA State Championship in 1989.Kristin is the 3rd all-time leading scorer

at LCHS with 1,301 points and grabbed over 1,000 career rebounds. She was named L-L League First Team Section All-Star for three seasons and L-L League First Team All Star for two seasons.At the conclusion of her senior

year, Kristin was named Honorable Mention USA Today All USA High School Basketball Play All-Star and PIAA AAA Honorable Mention All-State Basketball All-Star. Kristin was awarded a scholarship to play collegiately at American University, where she was a starting power forward during her senior season.

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IN THE News

With fall athletics coming to an end and rising anticipation for our winter season, LCHS would like to recognize the accomplishments of our fall athletic teams. Click here to read the full story on our website.

Fall Sports Wrap-Up

• Kari Kubala Null ‘96An LCHS student from 1992-1996,

Kari was a letter winner in field hockey, a letter winner in softball, and a three-year letter winner in girls basketball. As a two-year starter for the Lady Crusaders, Kari finished her career with 1,0003 points and lead LCHS to the PIAA District III Championship and PIAA AAA State Championship in 1996. Kari was named the team defensive MVP, L-L League Section III All-Star, L-L League All County All-Star and Reader’s Choice 2nd Team All-Star during her junior season.

During her senior year, Kari was named L-L League Section III Al-Star, L-L League All-County, PIAA District III All-Star, Sport’s Fever Magazine First Team All-Star, as well as Burger King Basketball Classic All-Star. She accepted a partial scholarship to play basketball at Millersville University, where her basketball career ended prematurely.