Alumni News from Fenwick
Alumni News from Fenwick
Volume #4             Issue #10              Date: October 2018 
Grandparents Day Is Wednesday, October 10th
Grandmothers and grandfathers of Friars, please mark your calendar for next Wednesday, which is Grandparents Day at Fenwick! Mass begins at 1:15 p.m. in the newly air-conditioned Auditorium.
Register for Grandparents Day
Homecoming/Reunion Weekend Memories
Some of "the boys" from 1968 pose with class hardware.
View more pictures in the Photo Gallery from this past weekend's Homecoming/Reunion, which was held September 28-30th:

CLASS OF 1968
HOMECOMING PEP RALLY
BROADCAST ROOM DEDICATION
FAMILY DAY AT THE ZOO
Forever Friars: Remembering Poet Tom Clark '59
Tom Clark, a prolific poet, biographer and Fenwick alumnus from the Class of 1959, died tragically on August 18th after he was struck by a motorist in his hometown of Berkeley, CA.
Clark was born in Oak Park in 1941. “Many Fenwick men from our class attended Ascension grammar school with Tom. I was among them,” writes Tom Maloney ’59, who resides in Chicago. Mr. Maloney remembers his classmate’s artistic abilities. “No one could draw like Tom Clark,” Maloney recalls. “He was a great artist.”
Writing, however, became Clark’s forte. “He is considered one of America's finest poets,” Maloney continues. “He was an accomplished and knowledgeable baseball writer. Add to his literary achievements a biography on Jack Kerouac,” the 1950s’ Beat Generation novelist and poet.
Clark was, indeed, a prolific writer, compiling two dozen collections. He once said that his literary influences came from Ezra Pound and William Carlos Williams, leaders of the rebellious “Imagist” poetry movement in the 20th century.
Click here to read more, including one of Clark's poems about baseball.
Choir Teacher Sue Senese: 1950-2018
Fenwick Choral Director Suzanne Senese passed away on September 27th from hip-surgery complications. On October 2nd, the Friars' student body prayed the Rosary for Ms. Senese, who was 67 when she died. Students Adamaris Santoyo '19 and Earl Hester '20 reflected on the influence their teacher had on each of them.
"Sue had a long and distinguished career in Catholic education," says Principal Peter Groom. "She taught at St.Pius X, St. John Vianney, Seton Academy (Music Department Chairperson) and Regina Dominican (Director of Music) before being hired by Fenwick in 1999. Sue was a talented musician, a hard worker and always generous with her time and talent. We will miss her."
Read The Wick article by clicking here.
Memorial Video
Mass of Remembrance on Oct. 28
Please join us at Fenwick High School on Sunday, October 28, in memory of loved ones born to eternal life. Mass begins at 10 a.m. with a reception to follow with light refreshments. "I can’t be there, but please remember my father and uncle, John C. Conley '33 and William P. Conley '36 and captain of the 1935 Friars' football team," writes John L. Conley '60 of Elmhurst, IL.
RSVP by October 22 to Carlotta Battelli at (708) 386-0127, ext. 321, or cbattelli@fenwickfriars.com. Please provide Carlotta with the name(s) of those attending and the name(s) of the person(s) being remembered.
Collegiate Friars: Burr Ridge "Kids"
Maureen Grady '15 and Mike Smith '16
Two "kids" from Burr Ridge are making good in Oxford, OH, and New York City.
MAUREEN GRADY

Fenwick Graduation: 2015
Hometown: Burr Ridge, IL
Grade School: St. John of the Cross (Western Springs)
Current School:  Miami University, Oxford, OH
Current Major: Accounting
Summer Internship: This past summer I worked as an Audit Intern at Crowe in their Oak Brook office. I learned so much about how the business works and what a career in public accounting might look like. It was a great experience to work closely with my team and interact with clients. I think the best part about a summer internship in business is developing a strong sense of professionalism and receiving valuable feedback to carry with you in your future career. Read more.

MIKE SMITH
Fenwick Graduation: 2016
Hometown: Burr Ridge 
Grade School: Burr Ridge Middle School
Current School: Columbia University 
Current Major: Sociology 
Career Aspirations: Basketball, until I can’t play anymore, and then go into private equity.
Fenwick teacher who had the most influence on you: Probably Ms. Carraher. My freshman year I struggled with Spanish, and she didn’t care that I was good at basketball. She wanted the best for me academically, and coming in I wasn’t the best at Spanish. But she made sure I was there after school to get the extra help and always called on me in class to make sure I was paying attention so that I could learn. I’m thankful for that. But in general, all the teachers that I had shaped me into the man I am now. They all taught me a lesson in the classroom and in life, and I’m grateful for that -- from freshman year until my senior year. Read more.
Faculty Focus: Science Teacher and Alumna
Amy Christophell '06
Biology Teacher/WYSE Coach Amy Christophell '06 excelled in the classroom and in the pool as a Fenwick long-distance swimmer.
What is your educational background?

AC: I have a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Greek and Roman Studies from Illinois Wesleyan University. I also have a Master of Education degree in Secondary Science Education from Loyola University Chicago.
What did you do prior to becoming a teacher at Fenwick?
AC:  Prior to realizing that teaching was my true calling, I thought that I wanted to be a veterinarian. So, while I was attending undergrad at Illinois Wesleyan University, I worked at a few different animal hospitals, vet clinics, and kennels. I worked alongside small animal vets, large animal vets, and exotic vets. I also was a volunteer zookeeper at the Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington Illinois for a while. The most exciting job that I had while volunteering at the zoo was helping with the training and feeding of the sea lions.
What are you currently reading for enjoyment?

AC: I am currently reading a couple of books for enjoyment with my son, Avyn. He loves to look at the pictures in his Read and Learn Bible for kids, and he also enjoys having me read his favorite book, Noisy Dinosaurs, over and over again.
What interests do you pursue outside of the classroom?

AC: My main interests that I pursue outside of the classroom are spending time with my family and anything water related. I love the pool, swimming, and water polo. Currently, I am enjoying teaching my son how to swim. 
Read more.
"Pass the Torch" Golf Outing Raised >$240,000!
On September 20th, approximately 100 Friars gathered for a warm, beautiful day of golf at Oak Park Country Club for the 8th annual Pass the Torch Golf Outing. We honored alumnus Charles “Chuck” Wolande '72 (above, center) with the "Pass the Torch" Legacy Award in recognition of his many contributions to Fenwick High School. 
This year’s event raised nearly $240,000 for tuition assistance and security upgrades at Fenwick. Thanks to all those who participated in the Golden Ticket Raffle, which sold out the day before the outing. Our winner ... Dan O'Neill '89!

THANKS, ALSO, TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS AND DONORS!
 
Tracy Brooker's Video Tribute to Chuck Wolande
Fenwick Fathers' Club Tuition Continuation Fund
When 91-year-old Bernard “Barney” Rodden ’39 passed away four years ago, the World War II veteran and Fenwick alumnus’ family asked that memorials be directed to Fenwick High School’s Fathers’ Club Tuition Continuation Fund. Established in 1932, the fund covers tuition for students who have lost a parent while at Fenwick.
Imagine attending high school and having your father or mother die. Sadly, such family tragedy has struck hundreds of Fenwick students over the years and, for 86 years and counting, the Fenwick Fathers’ Club has been here to help. Please click the "button" below to read the story of senior student Colleen Stephany '19 (above left), whose single mother tragically passed away when Colleen was a sophomore at Fenwick. 
Read Colleen's Story
The Spizzwinks Are Coming!
The who? The Spizzwinks from Yale University! Mark your calendar for an aural treat on Wednesday evening, October 17th, in the Fenwick Auditorium.
From New Haven, Connecticut, the Spizzwinks are America’s first and oldest underclassmen a cappella group! For 104 years, the talented singers have entertained audiences around the world with their unique blend of sweet harmony and tongue-in-cheek humor. One audience member describes them as sounding like NSYNC, "only better!"
This is a free concert for the Fenwick Community! Click here to listen to the Spizzwinks.
Don't Forget to Sign up for "FriarsConnect"
FriarsConnect: Have you signed up yet? The professional networking tool is 100% exclusive to the Fenwick Community. With it, you will be able to
  • Find jobs and opportunities  where you can work with your fellow Friars
  • Cultivate meaningful mentoring opportunities
  • Connect with and organize the powerful relationships available via the Fenwick community
  • And so much more
Sign Up for FriarsConnect
Get Your Fenwick Gear from the Friar Shop!
The Friar Shop is the place to get all the Fenwick Gear you need to show your support and school spirit:  T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, accessories and more! Visit us outside of the Fenwick Fieldhouse Gymnasium on campus.
We have a number of new items and designs that are available in the shop. Several New T-shirts, men's & women's shorts, dog collars, 20-oz. stainless steel/copper insulated tumblers, visors in three colors (white, black & khaki), a brand NEW trucker hat, ceramic coasters and more. Stop in soon and check it out! Gift baskets also are available.
Friar Shop Hours 
Monday: Noon - 4:00 p.m. 
Tuesday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 


For convenient online ordering ... click here!
Upcoming Events
Grandparents' Day
Wednesday, October 10
Life Trustees Meeting
Wednesday, October 17
Yale Spizzwinks FREE Concert
Wednesday, October 17
Mass of Remembrance
Sunday, October 28
Alumni Evening in Naples, FL
Thursday, January 31, 2019
67th Blackfriars Gala
Friday, April 26, 2019
Alumni Giving
As Fenwick celebrates its 90th academic year, please consider making a gift to help ensure that every class of graduates is as prepared for their college years as you were.
Make Your Gift Today

Have something to share with your fellow alumni? Please send all of your alumni news and happenings to Peter Durkin '03, Director of Alumni Relations (pdurkin@fenwickfriars.com). 
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