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| Volume #2 Issue #3 Date: November 2017
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| Forever Friars: Remembering "the Dobber,"
Dan O'Brien '34 (1917-2003)
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Coach Dan O'Brien (right), circa 1954. |
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In the basement of Fenwick High School sets the Dan O’Brien Natatorium. The swimming Friars of Fenwick will host the 30th Annual Dan O’Brien Relays this coming January in his eponymous pool. Younger alumni may wonder: Who was O’Brien and why is he a such a legend at Fenwick?
Dan O'Brien '34 was more than a stellar swim/dive guru; O’Brien was versatile. DOB was a FHS student who then served as a physical education teacher at his alma mater. “Dan's first Fenwick paycheck predated the Social Security system and had no social security withholding,” deadpans Jerry Lordan, PhD., who teaches social studies at Fenwick and wrote the preface for O’Brien’s oral history, a hardcover book entitled Fenwick Over the Years.
In 1937 Football Coach Tony Lawless hired O’Brien to lead his freshman football team. Football was O’Brien’s first love in sports. In the fall of 1930, seven years earlier, Fenwick was only one year old. Dan was a scrawny, 128-pound freshman who showed up for football tryouts at the new school, only to be snickered at by more burly classmates and upper-classmen. “Sorry, son,” said Coach Lawless, according to a 1972 Oak Leaves article. “I can’t use you. You’ve come out for the wrong team.” O’Brien, however, was determined and refused to give up easily.
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| The Return of Grandparents Day Is a Hit!
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Grandparents' and Special Guests’ Day at Fenwick on October 11th was a huge success with more than 400 grandparents and students participating! Thanks to those grandfathers and grandmothers who participated and to parents who exhibited patience with all the different schedules and amended drop-off and pick-up logistics. We are very grateful for all of your cooperation. Grandparents’ Day will be on PSAT testing day again next October (specific date TBD), so please keep an eye out for a save-the-date in the coming months. We hope for an even bigger celebration in 2018!
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| Mass of Remembrance Celebrated Oct. 29th
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More than 40 Friars returned to Fenwick on Sunday morning, October 29th, for a 10 a.m. Mass of Remembrance said in memory of loved ones born to eternal life. Light refreshments followed the service, which was held in the newly renovated and renamed Pearl and Angelo Mazzone III '68 Chapel.
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| Faculty Focus – John Schoeph '95
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|  | Alumnus Mr. Schoeph began teaching at Fenwick in the fall of 2000. |
| What is your educational background?
JS: I am an alumnus of Fenwick with an undergraduate degree from Dominican University in English and education and a post-graduate degree from DePaul in English (literature).
What interests do you pursue outside of the classroom?
JS: I enjoy music and writing quite a bit. From listening to almost all genres of music, including techno, indie, and opera, to playing piano, I find such enjoyment in music. And I like writing poems, stories, and plays for fun these days. Crafting a poem or a story helps keep my eye critical when it comes to literary analysis in class. Above all else, though, I love to pray and laugh.
What did you do to prepare for becoming a teacher at Fenwick?
JS: Both prior to and during my first few years, I studied and researched. I researched extensively to ensure a strong command of the subjects, skills, and topics I was teaching in both English and French. I did the same with theater. I can picture myself taking notes from stacks of books and organizing lectures and designing lessons. I know Fenwick students. I need to know the material well and present it well. Back then, I relied on only certain persons for advice and ideas, and, with their blessing, ran with their ideas in my own way. I never borrowed a lesson plan. With the exception of keeping some Fenwick traditions alive and making sure Mr. DePaldo’s vocabulary notebook lived on, I never asked for someone’s quiz, test, vocabulary list or assignment to use. At the most, I relied on others’ good lessons as springboards to design my own.
Among the “certain people” I relied on for sound advice in preparing were my parents and grandparents, Mr. DePaldo, Frau Barr, Madame Schnabel, Mr. Arellano, Dr. Lordan, Mrs. Marcotte and the Dominican University Sisters. Mr. Finnell was incredibly helpful in preparing me for directing.
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| Collegiate Friars:
Malone Buinauskas '16 and Kyle Gruszka '17
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|  | Veterans Day Tribute: Former Friars Kyle Gruszka '17 (left) and Malone Buinauskas don their dress uniforms at the U.S. Air Force and Naval academies, respectively. |
| Name:
Malone Buinauskas
Fenwick Graduation: 2016 Hometown:
Western Springs
Grade school:
McClure Jr. High
Current School:
United States Naval Academy (Annapolis, Maryland)
Current Major: Oceanography
Career aspirations: Naval Aviation, flying hopefully C-130 Hercules or P-8 Poseidon Fenwick achievements/activities: Math team, Scholastic Bowl, Debate team (2 years, made it to Nationals my senior year), Volleyball (3 years, freshman through varsity my junior year), Cross country (senior year to prepare myself for the physical difficulties of military school), and Hockey (3 years Varsity, best time of my life. Playing club hockey at USNA now.)
What Fenwick Teacher had the most influence on you? Ms. Weicher. She taught us not only about literature and writing, but also about life. She also helped me with my application essay, and encouraged me to follow my dreams even when I doubted myself. What Fenwick Class had the most influence on you? Ms. Logas’ government class senior year. It was a class I genuinely enjoyed going to every day, and it didn’t hurt that Ms. Logas was my debate coach. I took a lot away from that class, even if my AP score reflects the opposite. Best Fenwick experience/the one you would like to live again: Easily going on the Quetico trip. It was an absolutely incredible experience – the hardest thing I had ever done in my life at that point. It taught me a lot about myself, including how to push my physical limits. Also saw the best stars and sunrises I’ll ever see.
What Fenwick experience changed you the most? As nerdy as it sounds, being on the Debate Team helped to shape who I am. I exponentially improved my public speaking skills, learned ...
Read more about Malone and Kyle and check your mailboxes for the fall issue of the Friar Reporter alumni magazine, which includes a Veterans Day tribute to the Fighting Friars of Fenwick.
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"How can we thank the Fenwick community enough for your generous support to St. Agnes Academy as we struggle to recover from [Hurricane] Harvey?" asks Sister Jane Meyer, head of our sister Domincan school in Houston. "Your gift of $4,725 to our Harvey Relief Fund assisted St. Agnes families with rent, home repairs, school supplies, appliances, etc. At a time like this, we quickly realized the Dominican connection is more than just words -- it is living in a real way our Dominican mission, a mission of community, prayer and service."
St. Pius X High School, also in Houston, received the other half of the money that Friar Nation raised.
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| New Strategic Plan for Fenwick
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Fenwick is embarking on the process of writing a new Strategic Plan for the 2018-2019 school year and beyond. Catholic School Management (CSM) will help guide us in the preparation of this three- to five-year plan. The consulting group will gather data, facilitate interviews and focus groups, assist in identifying priorities to be addressed through strategic planning, and recommend goals and action plans to ensure we attain our vision for the future. This process will involve many members of the Fenwick community, including administration, faculty, staff, parents, students, alumni, parents of alumni, donors and friends. CSM expects to survey a random sample of at least 300 people starting the week of November 13th, and in January 2018 they will conduct a series of focus groups at school. If you are asked to complete an online survey or participate in a focus group, please consider taking the time to participate. With your continued support and participation, Fenwick is going to thrive. Thank you for your input in this strategic planning process.
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Friars driving along First Ave. near 55 in McCook this week may notice a new billboard, which has been generously donated by alumnus Mike Androwich '83. The entrance exam for Fenwick is early this year: December 2nd at 8 a.m. Help spread the word!
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The Communications Staff needs your help. We are researching five potential story ideas for future editions of the Friar Reporter alumni magazine:- Do you know of a Fenwick alumnus or alumna who is teaching at a college or university? (Send us their names, please!)
- What about Friars who went on to become civil servants, such as police officers or fire fighters? Tell us who they are.
- Have you written a book, or do you know a FHS classmate who is a published author?
- Are you part of a Fenwick multi-generational family -- grandparent, parent and child who all have graduated from FHS?
- As mentioned in Friar Reporter, please let us know about Fenwick graduates who are veterans of the United States armed forces.
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| Wishing You and Yours ...
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... a Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at Fenwick High School! May God continue to bless you and your family.
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| Twin Cities Alumni & Friends Gathering
Thursday, November 9 San Francisco Alumni & Friends Gathering
Thursday, November 16 Class of 1960 Christmas Luncheon
Friday, December 1 Class of 1951 Christmas Luncheon
Wednesday, December 6
Young Alumni Christmas Party & Toy Drive
Tuesday, December 12
50th BANUA Celebration
January 26 & 27, 2018
Naples, FL Alumni & Friends Gathering
Tuesday, February 6 Dallas, TX Alumni & Friends Gathering
Thursday, February 22 Arizona Alumni & Friends Gathering
Tuesday, March 20
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We are three weeks from the Thanksgiving break. By making a gift to Fenwick High School, you are helping to ensure that every class of graduates is as prepared for their 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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