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| Volume #4 Issue #12 Date: December 2018
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The Fenwick main entrance is decked in holiday splendor. | |
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Christmas is in sight.
Let there be light!
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| An Advent Message from
Brother Joseph Trout, O.P.
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Advent has come! This is one of my favorite seasons of the church year, though it can easily get lost, sandwiched between Thanksgiving and Christmas. That really is a shame because of how odd this season is: We begin by thinking about the end of the world. Yes, the Catholic Church begins its new liturgical year and the build-up to Christmas by pondering the end of time.
Of course, we claim the return of Christ in the last days truly is what we all want because he will put an end to suffering and injustice, so it’s not exactly a doomsday message. However, it is still sobering to ponder where all of life is going and to wrestle with the truth that we don’t live in a particularly just world now. I don’t know about you, but I would love for a world without “harm or ruin,” as the prophets promise. I’d also love to live in a world where I don’t make any mistakes that cause pain around me. Alas, that is not this world yet.
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| Fenwick Profile:
College Counselor Rich Borsch
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Let the matriculation process commence for the Class of 2019! Now is the frenetic season for Fenwick’s college-counseling duo of Rich Borsch and Laura Docherty. Busy is an under-statement. Between early application and essay preparations leading up to January 1st, the two guidance gurus are up to their elbows in paper and student e-documentation.
It’s an annual rite at Fenwick and at high schools across the country, but few counselors have been immersed in the process as long as Mr. Borsch, who wouldn’t want it any other way. This school year marks his 51st at Fenwick, and he has been a college counselor for all but the first four. “I’m not sure anyone who has ever worked at Fenwick has helped more families or directly influenced the lives of more students than Rich Borsch,” says alumnus Tim Rooney '75, a Life Trustee, former Board Chair and partner at the Winston & Strawn law firm in Chicago. That statement from the one-time football receiver turned lawyer factually is correct. Mr. Borsch indeed has worked with more than half of Fenwick’s graduates.
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| Update on the Invest in Kids Act in Illinois
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In 2018, 53 Fenwick High School students were granted more than $600,000 in tuition grants – and Fenwick supporters reduced their IL state income tax collectively by over $500,000! – through the Illinois State Tax Credit Scholarship Program (Invest in Kids Act). There are still tax credits available for 2018 and this program will continue through 2019!
If you expect to have an Illinois state income tax liability in 2018, there is still time to take advantage of this program – and help deserving Fenwick students – and receive a 75% Illinois state income tax credit on every dollar contributed to a scholarship granting organization (SGO). As you look forward to 2019, you can secure your tax credits as early as January 2 and have up to 60 days to make your contribution to an SGO, which will benefit Fenwick students in the 2019-20 school year.
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| Alumnus Attorney Chas Bellock '64
Shares Estate-Planning Advice
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When attorney and Fenwick alumnus Charles “Chas” Bellock ’64 advises his clients on estate-planning matters, he encourages them to do the smart thing. That same advice applies to himself, which is why Mr. Bellock has designated Fenwick High School as a beneficiary of his Individual Retirement Account (IRA) and is making qualified charitable distributions.
“At my age, I have met and surpassed the required age [of 70½] for distributions,” explains Bellock, whose firm (Bellock & Coogan, Ltd.) is based in Oak Brook, IL. Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) generally are minimum amounts that a retirement plan account owner must withdraw annually starting with the year that he or she reaches 70½ years of age. The qualified charitable distribution rules allow the IRA owner to direct the RMD to a charity. “Instead of me taking that money, I told my IRA administrator to cut a check for Fenwick in the same amount,” Bellock continues. “It’s really easy, and all it takes is a phone call to get it done.” Read more.
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| COLLEGIATE FRIARS: Versatile Twins
Lorente and Lorenzano Blakeney '18
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Renaissance men: At Fenwick, they each ran track, played football and played the flute. |
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Fenwick Graduations: Class of 2018
Hometown: Chicago
Grade School: Washington Irving
Current School: Trinity International University (Deerfield, IL)
Current Major: Health Science LORENTE BLAKENEY
Career Aspirations: A career in Bioethics
Fenwick Achievements/Activities: I played football four years, track & field for four years and was a part of concert band for four years. I am a part of the track team that holds the 4-by-200 m and 4-by-100 m records.
Fenwick teacher who had the most influence on you: The Fenwick teacher who had the most influence on me was Dr. Lordan. Dr. Lordan was my history teacher freshman year. He is an amazing teacher, and he always showed how much he cared for me.
Fenwick class that had the most influence on you: The class that had the most influence on me would be Mr. Arellano’s speech class. Before his class, I was not good when it came to public speaking because I would get nervous. But now, I have a bunch of confidence to speak publicly thanks to him and his speech class. Read more.
LORENZANO BLAKENEY
Career Aspirations: I want a job in the science field.
Fenwick Achievements/Activities: I was a part of the football team, track & field and band for all four years. I am one of the current holders of the 4x1 and 4x2 Fenwick records. Also, I was a two-time state qualifier in three events for track.
Fenwick teacher who had the most influence on you: The teacher that had the most influence on me by far was Mrs. Nowicki. Mrs. Nowicki was my math teacher for two years, and I can honestly say she is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. She has always put her students first, even while being one of the busiest faculty members at Fenwick. She has taught me many lessons along my Fenwick career, and for that I am grateful! Read more.
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| FACULTY FOCUS:
Freshman Class Counselor Ms. Mary Visteen
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A former science major, Ms. Mary Visteen has migrated from Fenwick’s English Department to the Counseling Department in Student Services. | |
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| What is your educational background?
MV: B.A. – University of Illinois at Chicago; M.A. – DePaul University; M.A. in progress – Concordia University (River Forest)
What did you do prior to becoming a teacher at Fenwick?
MV: I taught at Hinsdale Central High School as a part-time Academic Resource Coordinator, and then I taught English at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, IL.
What are you currently reading for enjoyment?
MV: My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A former, favorite student who knew that I admired her just dropped it off before Thanksgiving.
What interests do you pursue outside of the classroom?
MV: I am in graduate school and I am a mother of three (ages 9, 6, and 3) so my “spare” time is limited to pursue anything of great interest. However, I do squeeze in time to compete in obstacle races. I am on a Spartan team for the June competition. Ever since I was little, I loved being on a team. I love competition and a group of people working together for a common goal — it is how I see education in general. We need to bring everyone in our classroom to the same level.
To what teams and/or clubs did you belong as a student?
MV: I played water polo (and swam to keep in shape). I loved water polo. I started playing when I was 10 and played at IU for my first two years of college — the level of competition was fierce, but afforded me so many amazing opportunities for travel and many academic advantages. Read more.
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| Meet Girls' Hockey Player Ellie Kaiser '20
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Congratulations to junior student-athlete Ellie Kaiser, who led the Fenwick* girls' ice hockey team to an undefeated, 5-0-1 record in November. Ms. Kaiser, who plays center, tallied a total of 11 points last month. (See details above.) * The Fenwick girls’ hockey team presently is ranked among the top three in the State of Illinois. Called the Friars, it is actually a combined team comprised of players from Guerin Prep, Fenwick, OPRF, Trinity and York high schools.
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| Consider Giving a Memorial Brick for Christmas!
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Personalize a Christmas gift for the Friars in your life! Commemorative bricks can be purchased now for installation next summer in the ever more beautiful Fenwick Courtyard.
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| Sign Up for "FriarsConnect!"
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FriarsConnect: Have you signed up yet? The new, 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
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| Get Your Fenwick Gear from the Friar Shop!
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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!
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| The Friar Reporter, Fall Edition
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You now can read and share the Fall '18 edition of the Friar Reporter alumni magazine online. Read about Fenwick's Christian Service Projects, the Strategic Plan and more: CLICK HERE!
The 2017-18 Annual Report also is online. For all the financial details, please CLICK HERE.
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| Banua 2019
Friday & Saturday, January 25 & 26th
Alumni Evening in Naples, FL
Thursday, January 31, 2019 Alumni Gathering in Arizona
Cubs vs. Sox Spring Training Game
Friday, March 15 Alumni Evening in New York City
Wednesday, April 3
67th Blackfriars Gala
Friday, April 26
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As the Christmas season and New Year approach, please consider making your year-end, 2018 gift to help ensure that every class of Fenwick 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 Peter Durkin '03, Director of Alumni Relations (pdurkin@fenwickfriars.com).
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Fenwick High School is owned and sponsored by the Dominican Friars
of the Province of St. Albert the Great headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
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