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| Volume #1 Issue #5 Date: June 2017
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Hats Off to the Class of 2017!
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|  | With its record-breaking composite ACT score of 27.3,
is the Class of '17 Fenwick's G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time)* |
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Congratulations, graduates! Fenwick High School celebrated its 85th Commencement on May 26 at the UIC Forum. “This class’s composite ACT score of 27.3 is the highest in the school’s history,” reports Mr. Richard Borsch, associate principal and long-time director of student services. “Additionally, 25 of our seniors have been recognized in the National Merit Program,” Borsch continues. “Seven were finalists and another 18 who were commended.” The Class of ’17 also features 98 Illinois State Scholars (35% of class) and 175 Presidential Scholars (63% of class). Notably, Principal Peter Groom adds that “200 members of Fenwick’s Class of 2017 have been awarded 590 scholarships from 139 universities and foundations. Monetarily, that translates to 70% of the class receiving academic recognition in excess of $40 million.” View a breakdown of the Top 21 schools receiving Friars.
* As part of their senior prank the Class of 2017 printed thousands of "G.O.A.T." business cards and placed them in various places throughout the school.
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| 'Fenwick saved my life:' Betancourt '92 to Grads
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As part of the commencement exercises on May 26th, Fenwick was proud to welcome home alumnus Mick Betancourt '92, a Los Angeles-based screenwriter, comedian, actor, producer and director best known for his scripts written for popular TV shows “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago P.D.,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and "The Mob Doctor.” On his Twitter page, the former Friar describes himself as “a storyteller on screens, stages and pages. My body is in L.A. but my soul is in Chicago.” He shared a deeply personal story of how he was virtually homeless, living alone in Berwyn for almost two years between the ages of 12 and 14. “Fenwick High School saved my life,” an emotional Betancourt related, urging graduates never to stop asking themselves, “What if?” Most recently he served as co-executive producer of “Shots Fired,” a 10-part dramatic series that debuted on the FOX network this past March. He also is co-executive producer/writer of “The Purge” television series on NBCUniversal's USA and Syfy cable TV networks. Betancourt, who sold his first television series to CBS at age 30, addressed the 280 FHS students who compose the Class of 2017, along with their parents, grandparents, faculty and friends. Click on the arrow below to see the full video of Mick's remarks.
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| Congrats to Coach Hogan on "W" No. 800!
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|  | Coach Hogan recently completed his 37th season on the Friars' baseball diamond. |
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On May 4th, longtime Varsity Baseball Coach Dave Hogan recorded his 800th win for the school: a 10-3 victory over Chicago Catholic League (CCL) rival De La Salle. For Hogan, the milestone “W” was just another chilly day at Priory Field. “When Dan O’Brien hired me [in 1980], he told me, ‘In order to play in the sandbox, you’ve got to have toys,’” recalls Hogan, 62, who has been teaching physical education classes and
coaching Fenwick’s baseball team for nearly four decades. At the time, Hogan was 25 years old – only a few years removed from earning a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University. Reflecting on his tenure as the Friars’ skipper and 13 CCL championships to date, he says, “I’ve been fortunate to have some very good baseball athletes come through here.” In 37 seasons, “We’ve only had two lean years as far as having competitive talent,” he adds. His Friars were peaking heading into their regular-season finale at home against Jones Prep on May 22, which also was Senior Day. Before the 5 p.m. first pitch, Coach Hogan was honored during a banner-presentation ceremony. The Friars (final record: 22-12) beat Maine West 7-3 last week to advance to the 4A Sectional Championship Game, where they fell to New Trier 8-2 this past Saturday, June 3rd.
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The Fenwick Blackfriars Guild set an attendance record at its spring musical: In late April, more than 2,000 theater-goers saw "Joseph" and his coat of many colors in the Auditorium. "As far as I know, the 2300 total audience members this year were the most for any show in BFG history, or recent history at least," reports Mr. Roger Finnell.
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| Faculty Focus – English Teacher Jennifer Ori '06
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| What is your educational background?
JO: I earned my B.S. from Marquette University and my M.A. from DePaul University. I had great experiences at both places, but I am especially tied to Marquette where I had great academic advisors and teachers and formed close friendships.
When did you decide to become a teacher, and why did you choose this field?
JO: I always admired my teachers at Fenwick for pushing us and wanting to see us succeed. When I started at Marquette, I participated in service learning where I had the opportunity to help and teach kids in the Milwaukee area. I found the work very enjoyable and fulfilling and decided almost immediately to switch my “undecided” major to education. I have never looked back.
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| Participate in the Friar Classic Online Auction!
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Sheena Quinn '00 is in her third season as Director of Public Relations for the Chicago White Sox. She oversees the organization’s public- relations efforts, annual SoxFest fan convention and multicultural community outreach. Quinn helped to connect White Sox All-Star pitching ace José Quintana with NBC’s Jimmy Fallon of “The Tonight Show” for a short segment this past April. In the skit, Quintana thanks Fallon for helping him learn English through his show and offers to teach Fallon a little Spanish. The appearance resulted in a wave of positive buzz on social media, reaching a national audience of more than 2.6 million and generating $471,000 in publicity value.
"Fenwick was one of the most pivotal experiences in my development," Quinn explains. "I met some of my best friends, developed critical learning, problem-solving and teamwork skills through my classroom skills, but also my experience playing for the girls' basketball team there with Coach Power. Fenwick challenged me to pursue big dreams and gave me the foundation of knowledge to help achieve them."
Go Friars, and go White Sox! Read more.
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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 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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| Spanish Teacher Irene Drago Has Retired
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Mrs. Drago has taught
all levels of Spanish at Fenwick for the past 19 years. She also moderated the International Relations Club, where she developed a close relationship
with the late Anne Smendinghoff ’05.
An American diplomat, Smendinghoff, 25, was tragically killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan four years ago.
REMINDER: Please join classmates and friends in the Friar Courtyard on June 15th (5:00 - 7:00 p.m.) as we honor fellow Fenwick retirees Mr./Coach John Polka and Denny Zelasko. Mrs. Drago will not be present as she eagerly anticipates the birth of her second grandchild! Kindly RSVP to Marilyn Frisz by Monday, June 12th.
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| Mr. Kleinhans Named Teacher of the Year
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At the Fenwick Faculty Luncheon on May 25, Physics Teacher David Kleinhans was recognized as the 2017 Father Conway Educator of the Year Award. The annual award to is presented to a teacher who demonstrates excellence inside the classroom as
well as a commitment to Fenwick outside of classroom. The faculty nominates candidates
and votes on the finalists.
Before coming to Fenwick nearly a decade ago, Kleinhans had been a highly successful business executive in the computer software industry. “Since coming to Fenwick, Dave has not only become an excellent teacher, he has also touched the lives of so many kids,” praises Principal Peter Groom. “He has taught in both the math and science departments. Three things that strike me most about Dave are his humility, genuine love for his students and the ability to motivate his students to perform beyond their own expectations.”
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| Forever Friars: Tony Lawless
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Happy Birthday to Coach Lawless. This year marks the 110th anniversary of the birth of Fenwick legend Tony Lawless. At least we think so. No one still living is certain when Anthony R. Lawless was born. His nephew, Mike, who like his revered uncle has spent a lifetime as an educator and coach in the family’s hometown Peoria (IL) High School, says the elder Lawless often fibbed about his age to prospective employers when he was young. “Uncle Tony wanted jobs but didn’t want them knowing how young he was, so we were never exactly sure how old he was,” Mike Lawless notes with a laugh.
What we do know is this: Tony Lawless graduated from Spalding Institute in Peoria in 1924. He played on the Fighting Irish’s national Catholic high championship basketball team that year, before moving to Chicago to attend college at Loyola University. He later was inducted into Loyola’s Hall of Fame for both basketball and football. This past November marked 40 years since the passing of Lawless, who for nearly half a century worked for the students of Fenwick and the school since its inception in 1929.
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| Fenwick Builds Trophy Case for Its Heisman
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Fenwick's new Heisman Trophy Case was dedicated on May 24th. Sixteen members of Johnny Lattner's clan returned to campus to see his trophy’s new place of honor, prominently situated in
the football star’s beloved high school alma mater. Fenwick President Father Peddicord, O.P., blessed the new display and Jack Lattner '80 made an emotional speech, which you can view here.
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| New Video - "The Future Is Yours: Own It!"
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If you haven't already seen Fenwick's new, three-minute admissions video, you need to check it out. Warning: It just may give you chills! (Click on the arrow below.)
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Remember reading The Wick, Fenwick's student-produced newspaper, when you were in high school? Don't forget that present-day content is available online. See what the Friars are writing about.
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| Remembering John Crowder '81
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The 11th Annual John J. Crowder Memorial Event takes place next month at Hawthorne Race Course. Join your fellow Friars as they "Party Under the Lights" on Friday night, July 14, for an evening of summer fun, food, music, racing and fundraising! Register online.
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Cocktail Reception for New Retirees
John Polka and Denny Zelasko
Thursday, June 15 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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