Values for a Lifetime

Retired professional basketball player and the current VP of Basketball Operations of the NBA’s Chicago Bulls

Brogan Berry, a sophomore at Harvard University, is a recent 2004 graduate of Ascension School. In 2009 she was Named Ivy League Basketball Rookie of the Year and Earned honorable mention All-Ivy League honors. While at nearby Carroll High School she was a Two-time Girls Greater Cincinnati League Player of the Year and first team selection, Member of the National Honor Society and French National Honor Society, made honor roll in eight different semesters, recipient of the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Scholarship Society silver certificate and gold certificate and a Retreat Leader. Brogan shares her story that prior to arriving at Ascension School in the 4th grade she had previously struggled with English. Ascension school teachers offered additional focused instruction that was a blessing in her life. “I cannot say enough about the efforts and devotion to my educational process, but without it, I would not be where I am today. The combined efforts of the Ascension staff and Mrs. Donauer, resulted in my not only keeping up with the other students, but surpassing many when I was able to take Advanced Placement English classes and many Honors classes at Carroll High School.” “Many schools offer great education, but another aspect that makes Ascension better than other institutions is its religious community. The religion teachers provided me with all the knowledge of my faith, but the whole Ascension staff were walking examples of spirituality. Being surrounded by such a strong united faith helped me to continue my religious journey into high school were I led peer retreats at both Carroll and Bergamo, and today continues to influence my beliefs even though I am far from home. Ascension laid a strong foundation of education and faith that has brought me to one of the greatest colleges in the world – Harvard University!

Actor

Defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts (2007)

"Susan Westerkamp Plageman '77 has been named vice president of development for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, effective February 8, 2010. She leaves Nashville Symphony as vice president of external affairs, where she assumed responsibility for the annual campaign and the symphony's 2000 endowment campaign, raising $20 million. Susan and her husband Bob are originally from Cincinnati. Susan is a graduate of Seton High School."

Saint Gertrude School's Class of 1975 was honored as our first Alumni Veritas Award Recipient on February 20, 2010. Ms. Siebert has been involved in Saint Gertrude Parish and School for years and is currently the Director of Religious Education. She runs Vacation Bible School, and is an inspiration to many at the parish and school. She works tirelessly for many! Our other service minded nominees were: Doug Postler, Christina Tkacz and Mara Tomaszewski.

"Shannon M. Hart graduated from St. John’s in 1998. She and classmate Christa Siebenbergen received partial scholarships to McAuley High School for scoring in the top 5 in McAuley’s placement test. In 2002, Shannon graduated second in her class from McAuley, and received several scholarships (Castellini, Dolan, Podrasnik, Cincinnati Club, and University) to the University of Notre Dame. Shannon majored in Chemistry and Graphic Design (a unique right-brain left-brain combination) while holding down a job as Dining Hall Manager and later as a Resident Assistant in her dorm. She graduated cum laude from Notre Dame in 2006 and is currently a Graphic Designer with Kennedy Creative, a brand strategy and design firm based in New Richmond, Ohio. Shannon has been very generous with her talents: she has donated her professional design services to St. Margaret Mary Parish in Naperville, Illinois; Notre Dame/St. Mary’s Right to Life; Our Lady of Victory parish in Delhi; Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati; St. Gertrude's Jr. High Youth Ministry program; and of course her home parish of St. John the Baptist, where she designed the cover of our parish directory, the parish’s 150th Anniversary logo, and introductory pages to the Parish pictorial directory. Shannon is currently a member of St. Xavier parish downtown, Communications Chairman for the Notre Dame Club of Cincinnati, and an active member of the Catholic 20s Group at St. Gertrude’s in Madeira. All of us at St. John the Baptist Dry Ridge are very proud of our distinguished alumna, Shannon Hart, class of ’98. "

Grooming today’s youth and tomorrow’s leaders Developing children’s capabilities is a shared responsibility between parents, the community, and certainly our educators. Alumni Laura Marlar values her Catholic education, which clearly “encouraged me to set the highest goals, as St. Louis School pushed me to put forth my very best.” This moral foundation, coupled with the strong family influence for community servitude, has inspired Laura to become very active in Youth Leadership within the St. Louis family and larger community. She is active as Church Youth Minister and a seasoned American Heritage Pioneer/Patriot Girl Leader. American Heritage Girls (AHG) is a nonprofit scouting organization dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country. Her passion is fuelled by “a love for the kids to see them develop spiritually through activities that may take them out of their comfort zone and learning of new skills.” She reflects on the strong testimony when more Youth Group members show up for the St. Vincent de Paul mission packaging project than a routine social event. At the AHG Patriot and Pioneer levels, as well as her involvement with the AHG Heart Council, she aids the girls in learning and strengthening skills, such as conflict management, outdoor skills, and leadership. It is that ability to balance reaching within one’s skill sets and then utilizing them to reach out to serve others. “As a student, you are thankful for all that teachers did for you, but it’s not until adulthood that you realize the impact of those skills and value of a Catholic education”, inner discipline, and desires for high achievement. She relies on her past educational and Church experiences when developing and implementing curriculum with her third graders, as she currently teaches in a small Christian school. Looking at today’s economic hardships and lessons learned from the generations that survived them, it is crucial to invest in today’s leaders to groom the youth who will evolve as future community leaders. Society should applaud the Laura Marlars of the world, who take a passionate interest in today’s youth by sharing a futuristic vision, modeling the way, and enabling others to citizenship—these are leadership qualities recognized by experts, regardless of public or private schooling, that will lead to a stronger workforce and sense of community. Safely anchored by youth leadership provided by Laura Marlar, this St. Louis student experiences the guidance and support which is rooted in the values and mission of both St. Louis School and AHG.

We are pleased to introduce Mr. Tom Otten who is a 1960 graduate of St. Teresa of Avila School. Tom is now the principal at Elder High School and recently received the 2009 NCEA Outstanding Catholic Principal Award and the 2009 Cincinnati Citizens on Patrol Community Award. He is the oldest of eight children and while he was at St. Teresa, he was involved in Mass serving, Cub Scouts, Safety Patrol, basketball and baseball. Tom went on to attend high school at Elder, earned his B.A. in Mathematics from Thomas More College and his M. Ed. in School Administration from Xavier University. Tom is currently married, has five children and eight grandchildren. Tom taught Math at Elder from 1968-1971. In 1971 he became an assistant principal and business manager at Elder. He became the principal in 1997. He also has the privilege of serving on the boards of the Council on Child Abuse and Price Hill Will. Tom says, “Price Hill is my neighborhood. It is where I grew up, and continue to work. Price Hill and its future are extremely important to me. That is why I try to practice what I preach—that each of us, as individuals, but more so as a community, can make a positive difference when we become actively involved. I believe Elder High School, as a long-time Price Hill institution, has an obligation to the neighborhood to be in a leadership role on issues which have the potential to affect the common good of those who live, work, and attend school here. Leadership and involvement are concepts which my teachers continually reinforced during my St. Teresa years. We learned at an early age that we can, and should, make a difference in this world. Each day I thank God for the people in my life, including my teachers.” We are proud of Tom and all of his accomplishments!