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| Volume #1 Issue #6 Date: July 2017
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| Summer Events for Friar Alumni of All Ages!
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|  | Young alumni (from left): Sarah Boyle ’09, Michael Navarro, Nicholas Dan ’06
and Jennifer Dan ‘08. | |  | "Golden Friars" from the Classes of 1944 through '66
gathered in the Fenwick Fieldhouse on June 16th. | |
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The sky looked a tad menacing but calm inland seas prevailed for the June 22nd Fenwick Young Alumni (FYA) Association Boat Cruise, which was attended by more than 100 Friars. A week earlier the Golden Friars celebrated at school on June 16th. Each summer, all alumni who graduated more than 50 years ago are invited to return to Fenwick for the Annual Golden Friars Mass & Luncheon. This year more than 140 alumni and guests returned for an afternoon of fun and Friar camaraderie. Representatives from the class of 1944 through the class of 1966 were present.
Young alumna Jennifer Dan '08 reflected on a mid-June community outreach at a local charity: "Summertime is often jam-packed with vacations, BBQs, happy hours, even boat cruises! While we are juggling our social calendars, it is important to remember that there are people who are unable to enjoy the spoils of summer but who still deserve a night of enjoyment," says Dan. FYA identified the children and families at the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) in Chicago as one such group. RMH offers children and families a place of refuge to live together while undergoing complex treatments at a nearby hospital.
Led by Kenny Matuszewski ’09, who coordinated the effort, five former Friars devoted a mid-June Friday evening to hosting a board-game night for three child residents and their families. "Countless games of nerve-wrecking Jenga, sneaky Sorry!, and carefree Candy Land had us all laughing and smiling together," Dan relates. "I liked that we were able to provide an activity that helped children just be children no matter what was happening in life. I loved even more the lasting impression these kids left on me. Despite enduring more hardship in their young lives than many adults will ever experience, these kids exhibited incredible spirit and adaptability. Leg casts, medication IVs and pain didn’t stop these kids from enjoying their night. They imparted the idea that no matter how rough life gets, it is important to take time to live life and remain full of spirit, for it will help you keep fighting." Please keep an eye out for the next FYA service opportunity.
There also was a Fenwick alumni and friends gathering in Boston in late June with some 25 attendees. So far this summer, nearly 700 alumni/friends have attended Fenwick events. Let's keep that momentum going, Friar Nation!
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| Mr. Arscott Named STEM Teacher of the Year
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 | Mathematics teacher Bob Arscott (center)
is flanked by Principal Groom (left) and
Fenwick alumnus Jim Hester '66. |
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Congratulations to Fenwick Math Teacher Robert Arscott, who has been awarded the 2017 STEM Teacher of the Year award from both the local and Illinois state chapters of the Air Force Association. Headquartered in Arlington, VA, AFA is comprised primarily of U.S. military veterans who “believe that science, technology, engineering and math [STEM] and aerospace education are vitally important to our country’s existence,” explains Fenwick alumnus Jim Hester ’66, vice president of Chicagoland/O’Hare Chapter 142, “especially when it comes to defending the United States.” Hester’s local chapter has some 1,200 members and extends from Central Illinois (Champaign County) north to the Wisconsin border.
Tom O’Shea, Illinois State AFA President from Huntley, IL, was present at the Mothers’ Club end-of-year Faculty Luncheon on May 25 to personally thank Mr. Arscott for his long-time contributions in Fenwick’s mathematical classrooms. “We at the AFA wanted to officially and formally recognize Bob’s prowess in math,” Hester added as he handed Mr. Arscott a check in the amount of $750, which represents a small token of the association members’ appreciation. Read more.
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| Faculty Focus – Rick O'Connor
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English Teacher O'Connor also brings broadcasting expertise to Fenwick's students. |
| What is your educational background?
RO: I have a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Rhode Island and a M.A.T. from National-Louis University.
What did you do prior to becoming a teacher at Fenwick?
RO: I was the Executive Producer for "The Steve Cochran Show" on WGN Radio for eight years. Prior to that, I held positions at Fidelity Investments and Putnam Investments in Boston.
What are you currently reading for enjoyment?
RO: When [Basketball] Coach [Staunton] Peck and I are not discussing the Red Sox and White Sox and other world affairs, we recommend books to each other. The current recommendation is Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari. I just started it, and so far, so good!
What interests do you pursue outside of the classroom?
RO: I enjoy anything outdoors, such as running, camping and mountain hiking. Last summer I hiked in the White Mountains of New Hampshire with my son, and it was a lot of fun sharing my passion with him. He seemed to like it better and certainly had more stamina than I did!
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| Friars Capture Spotlight at "Night of Champions"
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Congratulations to the Fenwick Boys' Basketball Team on yet another accolade: being named the area's "Male Team of the Year" by the Wednesday Journal. The versatile Jacob Keller '17, Northern Iowa quarterback and Fenwick hoops guard, also was recognized as the Male Athlete of the Year. Former Friar and present NU basketballer, Scottie Lindsey '14, was the event's featured guest speaker on June 20th at Domincan University in River Forest.
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| 370 Made This Year's Friar Classic a Success!
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|  | Whether you call the game golf or "goof," the Friar Classic is always a great time! |
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Nearly 370 duffers tee'd off for both morning and afternoon shotgun sessions at the Friar Classic Golf Outing on June 9th. Now, that's a lot of foursomes — and a lot of Friar support. The Class of 1986 barely edged out the classes of '92 and '72 for the most participants, and a new set of Bernacki Cup Champions were crowned: George Shea ’97, Anthony Morelli ’00, Steve Manfreda and Pete Kokenes. Congratulations! Thank you to the alumni and friends of Fenwick who played, and to our generous sponsors, for helping us raise more than $40,000 in revenue for tuition assistance. Go, Friars!
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Matthew McNicholas ’96 has returned from Paris, where he and his wife/business partner, Elizabeth, visited the recently completed LDS (Mormon) Temple. MGLM Architects of Chicago designed the interior architecture of the major spaces, teaming up with MHTN Architects, which designed the building. “Our scope included the stained glass windows, laylights, and skylights,” says Matt, as well as doors, stairs, railings, mouldings, floors, ceilings, hardware, furniture details, the baptismal font, and the exterior doors. “The Temple has been decades in the planning for the Church and we were honored to be a part of the team to produce a unique house of worship and contribute to the rich architectural tapestry of France,” he added.
On June 29th Matt took his show on the road to New York City. At the invitation of the ICAA’s New York Committee for Events and Initiatives, he presented “The Art and Science of Ornament” as a part of his firm’s Summer Studio schedule. A water-polo enthusiast, Matt is a member of Fenwick’s Board of Directors and Chairman of the Facilities Committee. MGLM is the chief architectural firm for the school’s Centennial Campaign improvements.
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| Football Volunteers at Ronald McDonald House
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Commmunity outreach: Several members of Fenwick's varsity football team volunteered their time on June 23rd at the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago. Way to Friar Up, boys!
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| September Pilgrimage to Italy
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Travel to Rome, Orvieto, Florence, Siena and Bologna! The Dominican Friars of the Central Province invite you on a pilgrimage to Italy, September 13-22, 2017. Join Fr. Andrew Wisdom, O.P. and Fr. Louis Morrone, O.P. on a pilgrimage in the footsteps of the St. Dominic! Begin this spiritual and cultural journey in Rome to visit the Vatican Museums, the major basilicas of Rome, and a special celebration at the world Dominican headquarters. Then, travel to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, via Orvieto, and spend four incredible nights in this romantic city! There also will be full day-trips to Siena and Bologna to visit and pray at the sacred sites of St. Catherine and St. Dominic. Book early to reserve your spot on this celebratory trip. Call Corporate Travel Service at 313-565-8888, ext. 121, for more details. Limited space available.
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| Jimmy Sperandio '85: A Friar You Should Know
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Most of us know his smiling face at the school’s front reception desk after hours, but few members of the Fenwick community actually know who Jimmy Sperandio is. For example, did you know that Jimmy is a Friar alumnus who graduated from FHS in 1985? Or, that his day job is working as a detective for the Village of Oak Park Police Department (OPPD)?
A 26-year OPPD veteran, Sperandio grew up in Elmwood Park and went to Fenwick with Father Dennis Woerter, O.P., '86. “We both were from Elmwood Park,” Jimmy says. “Fr. Dennis was a year behind me in school. When we were about 12 years old, he was one of the few left-handed batters playing baseball in the neighborhood. I felt bad because I would bean him all the time,” he adds with a laugh.
A few years later, the two were playing soccer for Fenwick and then attended Loras College together in Dubuque, Iowa. “We tease each other but generally have a lot of affection for each other,” Fr. Woerter adds. “Jimmy has always looked out for other people. He is the one who got me to join our fraternity, and he took me under his wing my first year playing soccer at Loras. One incident I do remember is a game in the mud in the Rock Bowl, the stadium at Loras. I got hurt during the game and was lying on the field for a while. The first person at my side was Jimmy, and he also told the ref to stop the game because I was hurt. I also recall that he helped get me off the field -- which was probably quite a sight, considering our height difference!” Read more.
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| John J. Crowder Memorial Scholarship Event
Friday, July 14 at Hawthorne Race Course
Grandparents Day
Wednesday, October 11 Mass of Remembrance
Sunday, October 29
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By making a gift to Fenwick High School, you are helping to ensure that every class of graduates is as prepared for the college years as you were.
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Have something to share with your fellow alumni? Please send all of your alumni news and happenings to Director of Alumni Relations Cameron Watkins at cwatkins@fenwickfriars.com.
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