Name: Madonna (Warrenburg) Wagner
Year of Scecina Graduation: 1987
College/University: Ball State University
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Current Position: Vice President of Finance and IT, Chief Financial Officer of the Indianapolis Zoo
     

“I strive to work hard and to go above and beyond what is expected, Scecina taught me that, and I attribute those values to the successes I have enjoyed.” – Madonna (Warrenburg) Wagner ‘87 

By Rose Branson, Alumni and Donor Relations Coordinator

Madonna (Warrenburg) Wagner ’87 recently was named the 2016 CFO of the Year by the Indianapolis Business Journal (you can read here). Madonna was honored to receive this high recognition for her role at the Indianapolis Zoo.

I visited Madonna at the Zoo to talk about her work and her path through Scecina and beyond. Walking through the warm Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center on a chilly February day, I easily could sense Madonna’s passion for the Indianapolis Zoo and its mission of education, research and conservation. She rattled off the names of the orangutans and could recognize them and speak about their individual personalities. She was excited to show us 1-year-old Max, who recently had arrived from the Jackson Zoo in Mississippi, but the little guy and his mom still were getting acclimated to the other orangutans before entering the exhibit. Madonna clearly has a job she loves every day and is passionate about.

“I am blessed to work with awesome dedicated employees, visionary leaders and supportive Board members,” Madonna said. “Our mission is to empower people and communities, both locally and globally, to advance animal conservation, so we aren’t just running a zoo, but we are a global leader in saving animal species. It’s a passionate pursuit and one that I feel makes Hoosiers proud. I know I am on a daily basis.”

Madonna grew up in a Crusader household and attended Our Lady of Lourdes. Her father, Jim Warrenburg ’64, sister Katy (Warrenburg) Underwood ’84, aunts and uncles, and countless cousins all attended Scecina. And last, but not least, Madonna met her husband, Chris Wagner ’87, by asking him to the Turnabout Dance senior year. He said “yes”, and they were voted “cutest couple” by their class. Madonna and Chris just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. They have a son, Kevin, who is currently a sophomore at Wabash College majoring in Economics and Mathematics. Chris also has strong ties to Scecina. All of his siblings and two nephews are graduates while two nephews currently attend.

 Madonna was guided to her calling in life through exploring different classes at Scecina.  “During my senior year, I took my first Accounting class with Mrs. Chenoweth and I loved it! I went on to Ball State and majored in Accounting and have been in the field for 20-plus years,” she said. 

Madonna now is a member of the Indianapolis Zoo’s senior leadership team and is involved in all aspects of the Zoo’s operations, including the annual business planning process and strategic planning. She also oversees the Zoo’s finance and technology departments. 

Madonna, a founding member of the newly established Scecina Women’s Circle, feels the importance of giving back and volunteering. 

“Looking back, I see how the dedication of the Scecina faculty and staff had a positive impact in my life,” she said. “You aspire to be like the role models around you, and I was surrounded by hard-working, devoted and kind people at Scecina who always gave that little extra.” 

You can learn more about the Indianapolis Zoo here: indianapoliszoo.com/support-the-zoo/about-the-zoo 

“The Indianapolis Zoo is not supported by tax revenues and is totally supported by visitors, members, and donors.” – Madonna 

Name: Diane (Hehmann) Hollowell
Year of Scecina Graduation: 1972
College/University: Butler University
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics
Current Position: Math Teacher, Scecina Memorial High School
     

By Beth Murphy, Director of Marketing Communications

Diane (Hehmann) Hollowell '72 fondly recalls how well her Scecina teachers taught her in class. Some of her other high school memories go beyond the classroom, like Coach Leffler bringing his kids to games and Father Riedman walking around school with a hammer in his belt. 

“Mr. Ken Leffler was my English and chemistry teacher. He was a great teacher and made class fun,” she recalled. “His children were little at the time and I remember how he would bring them to a basketball game and they would all sit on the stage. This year (Scecina teacher and coach) Brad Purcell had his little boys on the stage, and I couldn’t help but think how life changes and yet so many things stay the same.” 

Diane has returned to the same halls and stage that were so familiar when she was a teenager. In 2015, she took a math teacher position at Scecina. Since her return, she’s taken command of the school’s chapter of National Honor Society and she initiated Scecina students’ participation in Catholic Math League, a national math competition. 

“The Catholic Math League is known for preparing students to analyze questions, skills that are needed when taking standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT,” she said. “The competition element makes it more interesting. The students want to represent Scecina well and a little friendly rivalry between the students is never a bad thing.” 

Diane met her husband, Joe Hollowell ’72, in geometry class at Scecina. Joe and Diane have 11 children. Two of their sons are priests in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Father John Hollowell is pastor of two parishes near Terre Haute and the chaplain of DePauw University and Putnamville Correctional Facility. Father Tony Hollowell is finishing up his studies in Rome and will be back in June. Diane attended Little Flower Catholic School and Parish, where she was baptized, confirmed and married. When she went to high school, her faith and values were reinforced at Scecina. 

“The teachers and staff demonstrated their faith daily,” she said. “I was blessed by the many priests and religious sisters who taught here.” 

“Father (Joseph) Riedman was the guidance department when I went to Scecina,” she said. “He also fixed anything and everything that was broken around the school. He was always available if I had any questions, but he usually had a hammer tucked into his belt.” 

Sister Teresa Marie Boersig cultivated Diane’s affinity for math. 

“She was such a great teacher and I learned so much from her,” said the math teacher. “My junior year she went back to Purdue and earned her PhD.” 

Diane’s road to Butler University from Scecina was helped by Ott Hurrle ’70, when he brought her a college application from Butler. 

Now Diane and Ott are together again in the halls of Scecina. 

“Life changes and yet so many things stay the same.” 

Dear Scecina Family,

I come from a long line of proud Scecina graduates. My aunt and uncle were members of the first graduating class in 1957 followed by my dad in the Class of 1962. My three older brothers preceded me, graduating in 1987, 1989, and 1993. I graduated in 2005. As a family, Scecina is a tie that binds us. Beyond that, Scecina serves to connect thousands of friends and graduates, from all walks of life, spread throughout the country. To the thousands of friends and alumni out there, Scecina is our school.

Among the many things I am grateful for, one is the opportunity I had to attend Scecina. I received a terrific education — one that has served me well in college and beyond. Equally important, I made lifelong friends and became part of the larger Scecina community. I’m certain my experience is not unique.

After leaving Scecina, I was the typical “broke college student.” Still, I decided to donate a few dollars each month to Scecina. It wasn’t much — they weren’t going to name a wing of the school after me — but it was important to me, and my gift was valued by Scecina. I’ve been able to increase my contributions over the years and they are valued just the same. This goes to show that a contribution, any contribution, is valued and supports our school. When I receive updates on renovations to the building, inspiring teachers, and student accomplishments, I know my contributions are being put to good use.

Many families need assistance to cover the cost of a Catholic education. For decades, the generosity of the Scecina community has helped ensure that the school’s doors are open to all. Your support would give more students a chance to receive the same great education and make the same lifelong friends that we did. Please join me in making a gift in support of our school.

A lot has changed at Scecina over the years. The building may look different, the names and faces may have changed, but I remain convinced that something special happens within those walls on Nowland Avenue.

All the best,
 
Nick Felts ’05

Name: Kayla Wagoner
Year of Scecina Graduation: 2013
College/University: Marian University
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (May 2017)
Current Position: San Damiano Scholar, Marian University; student nurse, Community East and IU hospitals
     

By Beth Murphy, Director of Marketing Communications

Kayla Wagoner ’13 greeted me with a hug as she welcomed me to Marian University’s Michael A. Evans Center for Health Science. “This is where I’ve spent my life for four years,” she said with a laugh. 

Kayla is taking what she learned at Scecina Memorial High School and turning it up a notch. Teachers at Scecina remember her working hard and putting passion into her classwork, afterschool activities and service. She went on a mission trip to New Orleans and took several Advanced Placement courses at Scecina. She was involved! 

Scecina, she said, taught her to lead by example. “We have good leaders of faith at Scecina, many people to look up to,” she said. This week, Kayla graduates from Marian, where she – again – is involved. She’s a nursing student and a San Damiano scholar who also works as a student nurse at two Indianapolis hospitals. That means little down time for Kayla, who is looking forward to graduating this month, putting classes behind her and getting a job in a critical care unit at a hospital. The high energy she had while a student at Scecina is carrying her through her college experience. 

“The challenge of the AP classes at Scecina, especially science, really prepared me for college and nursing classes,” she said. “I really learned good study habits.” 

Kayla was chosen as a San Damiano scholar when she was a senior at Scecina. Marian University’s San Damiano Scholars Program for Church Leadership “educates and forms college students who have a love for their Church.” It aims to create leaders in the Catholic Church and it’s for students interested in becoming leaders in their parishes and in health care, nonprofits or schools. San Damiano scholars minor in pastoral care and must fulfill several requirements, including monthly meetings, annual retreats, eight hours of service each month and a sophomore service project. Click here for a more thorough description of the program. 

For her sophomore service project, Kayla organized a 10-day mission trip to Valley of the Angels orphanage in Guatemala. Originally a home for abandoned and orphaned children, Valley of the Angels’ mission now includes all children in need. “The reason we were there was to spread love, to spread God’s love,” said Kayla, who said the volunteers worked but also were encouraged just to go out to recess and play with the children. 

She took another mission trip with the nursing department to Guatemala where the focus was public health. The group brought along medicine and supplies and provided health education to people in areas that don’t have access to primary health care professionals or even the Internet to educate themselves. 

The volunteering and mission work she has done as a student at Scecina and Marian continues to call her. Her experience as a nurse and a San Damiano scholar, she said, is preparing her for a life of service. 

“My passion is mission work. That’s why I chose nursing as a career,” she said. “I’ll be able to really help people when I go on mission trips. I have clinical skills that I can use and see the change in the world.” 

At Marian, Kayla is treasurer for the Student Nurse Association and vice president of fundraising for Marian’s chapter of College Mentors for Kids. She is a peer tutor and a member of Delta Epsilon Sigma, a national scholastic honor society for students at Catholic universities; Sigma Theta Tau, the Honor Society of Nursing; and the National Society of Leadership and Success 

Kayla’s parents and her sister and brother also all are Scecina graduates: Cliff Sr. ‘79 and Julie (Barth) Wagoner ’81; and Allysen ’09 and Cliff Jr. ‘11. They attend Our Lady of Lourdes parish, where Kayla and her siblings went to school.

Thank you to the following for supporting the Classroom Renovation Project this summer at Scecina! All gifts received from now until June 30, 2017 will support the goal of raising $25,000 for classroom renovations. Click here to join the list and make a gift!

Total Raised: $3,815

1. Marisa B. (Perez Betancourt) Hay '69
2. Robin A. Erlenbaugh '82
3. Maggie (Mundy) LeRoy '61
4. Michael R. Cecil '65
5. Bryan Day '06
6. Dana (Harrison) Osswald '78
7. Meachelle (Hedrick) Wishart '85
8. Mary Margaret (Mulhern) Beyne '66
9. Rev. Rick Ginther, Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
10. Eileen M. (Harris) Davis '69
11. Debra D. (Driscoll) Zore '69
12. Mary Lou (English) Vrabel '68
13. Gregory M. Brassie '79
14. Michael '85 and Jennifer (Hedrick) '89 Sullivan
15. Peter Schroedle
16. Mary A. (Robinson) '61 and David S. Allen
17. Jerry R. '68 and Margaret M. (Kegeris) '68 Jones
18. Patrick and Beth Murphy
19. Nancy J. (Perrey) Cockrell '60
20. Gregg '79 and Kay Neidlinger
21. Thomas R. Blandford '65 

Name: Diane (Collins) Beasley
Year of Scecina Graduation: 1958
Former Position: Tailor/Seamstress
Current Position: Professional Scecina sports fan
     

By Rose Branson, Donor and Alumni Relations Coordinator

Have you seen that feisty lady shouting and cheering on the sidelines at almost every Scecina sporting event? Chances are, you’ve seen her even if you don’t know her name. 

That super fan is Diane (Collins) Beasley ’58. She is Scecina’s biggest cheerleader, which is ironic, as Diane herself jokes, because she was cut from cheerleading at Scecina. 

Diane was the loudest cheerleader at Ben Davis High School on June 10 at the Crusaders softball State Championship game. She started all the cheers and waved her pompoms (souvenirs from the Crusaders ’90 and ’91 state football championship seasons). The Crusaders won the 2017 IHSAA 2A Softball State Championship that day, and Diane won, too. The team presented her a plaque, which reads “SM SOFTBALL 2017” and has each girl’s name and number. 

When I reached out to Diane to be featured as in the Alumni Spotlight of the Month, she said, “Feature the crazy lady who goes to all of the ball games? Whatever. If you think it will be a good idea, go ahead.” How we laughed! We met at a favorite Scecina hangout – Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza – to learn why Diane cares so passionately about Scecina and its athletic teams (She cares about every aspect of Scecina and especially the arts program.) 

“I care so much because of the children – I just love them so much and want to support them,” said Diane, whose grandchildren don’t live close. You can hear it in her voice and in her stories how much Diane loves Scecina students and families. She knows so much about the history of the teams and the families and athletes; she still attends dinners with past alumni to stay in touch. 

Diane’s father attended Cathedral High School, she reluctantly says. But she’s clearly proud that he was an Indiana high school state champion in football, and went on to play semi-pro football, bowled a couple of perfect games, and hit a few holes-in-one. 

Diane attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School and still belongs to the parish. In 1998, Diane was attending a different Catholic church, but when she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, she reconnected with OLL. Diane got through with the help of Sister Lavonne Long and Father Peter Gallagher, and the support of the Scecina community and OLL family, who prayed for her recovery and gave her strength.   

She has missed just four softball games in 20 years. Diane also hasn’t missed many boys basketball, girls basketball, football, tennis, and some soccer games either. 

You might see her with Rita (Dichmann) Edson ’67 and Coach Bear, the teddy bear mascot. Ever the devoted fans, Rita and Diane drove 130 miles (each way) to Huntingburg and spent a night in a hotel to watch the softball team play their Semi-State games on June 3. 

Diane was a member of Scecina’s Board of Directors for 17 years, is a founding member of the Scecina Women’s Circle, has volunteered at Scecina, and attends most alumni events. 

She has three children, Deborah, Dana and John, and was married for 50 years to the love of her life, Donald Beasley, a former Marine. She is proud of her eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, and also loves playing “grandmother” to many current and former Scecina students. 

Go Crusaders! 

The School Scholarship Tax Credit (SSTC) allows Indiana residents and corporations to claim up to a 50 percent tax credit for contributions to approved scholarship-granting organizations (SGOs), nonprofits that provide private scholarships to schools, including Scecina Memorial High School.

The clock is always ticking on the SSTC: Each year, the state limit on the amount of available tax credits for fiscal year is reached earlier. Last year, the $9.5 million available for 2016-17 ran out on Dec. 19, 2016, and the fiscal year ends June 30 each year. 

The program is now open and $12.5 million in tax credits are available. There are no guarantees the credits will be available until June 30, 2018. Because of the tremendous tax deduction advantage, many more individuals are taking advantage of this opportunity much earlier in the year (July through December).

For more information, please contact Jim McGuinness '68, Scecina’s director of Development and Alumni Relations, at jmcguinness@scecina.org or 317.352.3227, or visit www.scecina.org/sstc.

If you would like to donate directly to the program, you can do so here: Institute for Quality Education

After the postponement of the Alumni Golf Classic from June because of rain, the July 28 edition turned out to be a spectacular day at the West Chase Golf Course in Brownsburg, Ind.

Senior Isabelle Leffler was the recipient of the 2017 Kenneth R. Leffler Scholarship. Since 1989, the Alumni Golf Classic has funded a substantial scholarship awarded to an incoming senior who has a Scecina legacy.

“The Scecina Golf Classic is great fun and a perfect way to remember and honor Ken Leffler, who always made everyone feel welcomed and made sure they had fun working,” said Ott Hurrle ’70, Scecina teacher and football and boys golf coach.

The 2017 golf outing drew 113 players and 24 sponsors. Special thanks to West Chase owners, Rick ’69 and Patty (Nonte) Smith ’71, for hosting the Alumni Golf Classic for a second year. Thanks also to the Alumni Golf Classic committee: Jason Bledsoe, Ott Hurrle ’70, Jeff Lathrop ’96, Brian Lyons ’83, and Brian Rosswurm ’05.

“Everyone I spoke to said the course was in great shape, the food was really good and they had a good time,” said Jim McGuinness '68, Scecina’s director of development and alumni relations.

“I think it was a great success even though the first date was rained out,” McGuinness added. “We still had one of the largest attendance in the past several years with 113 players. The original date of June 23 had been sold out three weeks in advance. That’s two years in a row the event was sold out in advance of the outing.”

Scholarship recipient Isabelle Leffler is very involved in student activities at Scecina, including sports, student government and especially the theater department. She is a National Honor Society member and is the student body president for the coming school year. 

You can view photos of the Golf Classic on our website by clicking here. 

Name: Molly O'Brien Funk
Year of Scecina Graduation: 1990
Professional Title: Administrative Assistant, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School
Employer: Archdiocese of Indianpaolis
     

By Beth Murphy, Director of Marketing Communications

What would we do without Molly?

The Scecina community and the people of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and School often ask themselves that question.

The outgoing and energetic Molly O’Brien Funk ’90 has given of herself to support the Catholic community on the Eastside. Her hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed, and now she will be honored by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis for her commitment. 

At a Mass on Sept. 19, Molly will be awarded the 2017 Monsignor Albert Busald Award. The award recognizes adults who have given sustained service to the youth of a particular parish through the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) and youth ministry programs. The new archbishop, Charles Thompson, will preside at the Mass at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Downtown Indianapolis. 

“I am honored and blessed that I have been chosen to receive this award,” says Molly, who served on the Our Lady of Lourdes Athletic Board for six years. “I was a little shocked that many people see the effort, time, talent, and treasure that I put into Lourdes and the dedication that I have. I am blessed that I have the opportunity to support my parish and the athletes of Lourdes and CYO.” 

She continues to support Lourdes athletics by communicating daily through school, social media, fliers, and attending games, even though her own son, Matthew, moved on to Scecina, where he is a junior.  

On her Facebook page, Molly wrote about the Busald Award honor: “I am blessed to have a parish that I've called home for 45 years and a community like Irvington to be my home for all those years! I give my (heart emoji), my soul, my blood, my sweat, my tears, all for OLL! I work hard, I give back, and I only want the best for those kiddos!”  

Our Lady of Lourdes Principal Chris Kolakovich said Molly’s commitment to Lourdes is “undeniably strong.”  

“As our only school secretary, she is asked to wear many hats and tirelessly dedicates her time to serving others. As a former Athletic Board member and Lyons fan, Molly is a committed supporter of our student athletes and the most enthusiastic fan in the stands,” Kolakovich said. “I am proud of her accomplishments and appreciative of the hours she dedicates as an employee and volunteer. This award is well-deserved.”  

At Scecina as a dedicated alumnus, Molly volunteers for the school’s biggest fundraiser, Club 53, in support of need-based tuition assistance, student life and athletics. This year’s Club 53 takes place on Nov. 11, and once again Molly is selling tickets. She enjoys friendly competition with Jeff Lathrop ’96 for who can sell the most tickets to Club 53. 

“I have competed with Molly in selling Club 53 tickets for the last three years. In selling, I took a number of 'family' sales away from Molly, yet her persistence and competitive spirit drove her to be top ticket seller in 2016,” Lathrop said. “And now my family wants to buy from her in 2017 because they haven't won since they switched.” “Congratulations Molly on this well-deserved recognition,” he added. 

Molly also has been a Scecina Fund Ambassador, participated in the Alumni Information Gathering sessions, supported the Booster Club and helped with her class reunions. She pretty much does it all. 

She thinks it’s important to go back to her roots, whether Scecina or Lourdes. “That is where the core of my learning, values and challenges began in my life,” she says. “It feels good to give back and say I still actively participate in my alma mater.” Molly always has been a big sports fan. At Scecina, she played basketball, volleyball and softball. Molly says her high school years at Scecina taught her to be a lifelong learner and to serve others. “I feel that in receiving the Busald Award I am living as a servant leader in the footsteps of Father Thomas Scecina.”

By Rose Branson, Donor and Alumni Relations Coordinator

While many people of different generations have been absorbed in Ken Burns’ recent PBS docu-series about the Vietnam War, one generation still bears the scars of that conflict. Members of Scecina's Class of 1967 are among those with personal experience and vivid memories of Vietnam.

For Peggy (Kelly) Fowley, a 1967 graduate of Scecina, her 50th class reunion brought an opportunity for a moving tribute to her classmates who served the country during the Vietnam War.

“Many of our veterans just never felt properly thanked for their service, especially those from Vietnam,” said Peggy, who knew just how she could thank them and help bring peace and closure.

She had heard of a project called Quilts of Valor, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to “cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.”

She decided in May to make quilts for 22 members of her class, most who were Vietnam-era veterans. With the reunion only three months away in August, she knew she could count on quilting help from classmates Susie (Heffernan) Prather and Kathy (McGinty) Dullaghan. She also sought advice from another classmate, Tom Green, who was in charge of the veterans committee for their reunion

Each quilt, according to Peggy, took around two weeks to make and in total 22 quilts were made. “It was worth doing because there wasn’t a dry eye in the place” when the quilts were presented at the reunion at the Marriott East.

The most important part of the Quilts of Valor is the presentation, when each veteran is called forward by rank and name, and wrapped in his or her own special quilt.

“The quilts were formally presented to each veteran by Lt. Col. Lisa Kopczynski and they must be certified, which means regulated and counted for,” said Peggy.

When it came time for the presentation, the first Scecina veteran from the Class of 1967 was called up.

“At first, he was a little confused,” said Peggy, “But then, after the second veteran walked up, everyone began to become very emotional, especially those receiving the quilts.”

Click here to watch a video of the presentation. Lt. Col. Lisa Kopczynski helped present the Quilts of Valor and was presented her own quilt for her service. Lt. Col. Kopszynski is actively serving 30+ years in the Indiana Army National Guard and was deployed to Iraq in 2008. Her parents, Michael and Martha (Griffo) Bell, are both Scecina graduates from the Class of 1961.

The emotional presentation healed some wounds for veterans in the class. Some excerpts from those in attendance:

“It was the emotional highlight of the evening.”

“You helped melt away that anger, you have ripped out those terrible seeds by honoring him with the Quilt of Valor.”

“The honor you bestowed on your classmates was without parallel.”

“He never let go of the anger in the pit of his stomach. He said when he was wrapped in that quilt on Saturday, the anger was just lifted from him. He said he never felt so unburdened since his return.”

“I don’t think I have EVER seen him so proud of anything before.”

“If I’m down and need a hug, I can just go get the quilt.”

“The evening of the reunion, many classmates came up to tell us how much they appreciated the time and efforts we made in producing the quilts. It was emotional for all of us.”

If it wasn’t for people like Peggy, Susie and Kathy, some of those wounds still might not have been healed.

To learn more on the Quilts of Valor, please visit: www.qovf.org

Name: Meghan Eileen McFadden 
Year of Scecina Graduation: 1999 
College/University: University of Dayton 
Degree: BA Communication (Public Relations) 
Current Position: Development Coordinator for the IU School of Medicine/IU Simon Cancer
Center Employer: Indiana University School of Medicine

By Rose Branson, Donor and Alumni Relations Coordinator

One of the greatest strengths of a Catholic school is the community. You are a part of a bigger family where everyone knows everyone. 

For Meghan McFadden ‘99, Scecina was right there with her during a difficult time in her life. 

“A unique and life changing experience I had while at Scecina was the passing of my father the summer before my senior year. I remember the day it happened, almost every single person from my class showed up at my house that night,” says Meghan. “And they continued to show up for me that year. I was surrounded by love and support from my classmates and it helped me through my grief. That is an experience I will never forget.” 

Growing up on the Eastside of Indianapolis and attending Our Lady of Lourdes, Meghan comes from a long lineage of Scecina graduates. Several aunts, uncles and cousins from both sides of her family are alumni. Her mom, Mary Adams McFadden, attended Scecina her freshman and sophomore years, but finished at Our Lady of Grace after her family moved. Her two sisters are Scecina graduates: Amy McFadden Marack ’87 and Elizabeth “Beth” McFadden Brown ‘90. 

She notes the caring teachers and teamwork learned through cheerleading as well as student ambassadors and the Arts. The many positive experiences Meghan had at Scecina led to her current passion and profession. She currently works for the Indiana University School of Medicine. “I am on a four-person team that fundraises for cancer research at the Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center. My specific role is to manage our memorial gift campaigns, community-based fundraisers and several other odds-and-ends that the days may bring.” 

Meghan is still involved with the Eastside community, specifically Scecina and Our Lady of Lourdes. “I have pride in Scecina! The school played such a positive role in my formative years, and I want that for others. I believe getting a wonderful education, participating in extracurricular activities and forming friendships of a lifetime is something children should experience. I love hearing about Scecina’s successes and I want to play a small role in making them happen.”  Meghan also coaches cheerleading at Our Lady of Lourdes.

Finally, Meghan believes in the power of giving back and encourages others to do the same. “Get involved! Whether it is within the Scecina community or wherever you are in life now. I love that you can always find a Scecina alum coaching a sports team, volunteering at festival, as a board member, singing at Mass, etc. This is what makes us great!”

Tom Griffin ’62 says his answer will always be “yes” when he is called upon to serve the Scecina Community. 

As a Scecina graduate and U.S. military veteran, every year he attends the annual Father Tom Mass. This year, he was the honoree, as he was awarded the prestigious Father Tom Award at the annual celebration on Oct. 24. The award is given to a person who as given a little extra to Scecina.

Griffin was born on Oct. 26, 1944, just two days after Father Tom died at sea during World War II. In 1963, the lifelong parishioner at Little Flower Parish  enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Germany from 1964 to 1967, serving the nation in security and law enforcement. 

Scecina President Joe Therber noted how Griffin has dedicated much of his life to serving Scecina. 

Just a few examples of Tom’s involvement in the Scecina Community, in the words of those who nominated him for this award, are the countless hours he has spent reviewing yearbooks to update the school’s database, being a key member of the Scecina Veterans Committee, giving his insights and encouragement for the bronze bust of Father Tom in the rotunda, sharing his time and hospitality for his 50-year class reunion, and attending numerous Scecina sporting events to support our students and families. 

“Tom is one of the most likeable people you could ever hope to meet,” said President Therber. “I know that I have grown as a person by knowing Tom and am grateful to call him a friend. “ 

Here are Griffin’s remarks at the Father Tom Mass: 

To the Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School family and friends, 

Mere words cannot adequately express how honored I feel in receiving this prestigious award. 

Sometimes we come to a point where we try to do just enough to get by. I don’t think Father Tom was ever tempted by that or if he was he quickly dismissed it. 

He originally decided he was called to serve God by becoming a parish priest – a worthy and necessary calling – but he decided to “do that little extra” and received permission to join the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps. He was assigned to the Philippines where his parishioners were the American and Filipino soldiers as well as Filipino civilians. 

After the surrender of the Philippines to the Japanese, he survived the infamous Bataan Death March. He continued to do that little extra a couple of years later by volunteering to accompany his fellow prisoners who were being transferred to Japan on the Arisan Maru. Let me stress again - he didn’t have to be on that ship, the Japanese did not require him to be on it, he volunteered so that he could continue to minister and offer spiritual guidance to his fellow prisoners - his parishioners. Through this gallant, selfless act, he gave his life providing a general absolution and hearing confessions on the sinking ship. 

Last year Father Tom was inducted into the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame. His certificate of Induction as well the medals he was awarded are displayed in the main hall along with the bronze bust presented to his school by the veterans committee. These are to remind all who view them of what giving that little extra truly means. 

I pledge to continue trying to do that little extra to help Scecina Memorial where needed so as to honor Father Tom as well as past recipients of this award , named for him, who continue to bring glory to Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School. 

In conclusion I’ll see everyone at Lucas Oil Stadium the Saturday after Thanksgiving when the Crusaders will give that little extra to bring a State Championship trophy to add to the trophy case!

Name: Sister Jean Marie Cleveland
Year of Scecina Graduation: 1959 
College/University: Marian College, Purdue University,  Loyola University of Chicago
Degrees: B.S., Mathematics '64; MAT, Mathematics, '71; MPS, Pastoral Studies, '88
Current Position: Vice President for Mission Effectiveness
Current Employer: Marian University 

By Beth Murphy, Director of Marketing Communications

She looks around the Marian University campus and sees so many 18-year-olds, fresh out of high school and just finding their way in the adult world. They seem so young and even immature at times. She can’t believe she was the same age when she made the monumental decision to become a Sister of St. Francis, Oldenburg. 

“I graduated from Scecina in June (1959) and in September I was at Oldenburg,” recalls Sister Jean Marie Cleveland, OSF, who attended Little Flower Catholic Church and Parish while she was growing up. 

She left her family, her home and her Eastside Indy neighborhood to join the order. This was before Vatican II, when religious sisters were more cloistered. 

“I left my home and thought I might never see it again,” she said. 

She’s spent much of her life as a teacher and school administrator. At Marian, which was founded by the Sister of St. Francis, Oldenburg, Sister Jean is vice president for Mission Effectiveness and a liaison between the Sisters and the university. She serves on President Daniel Elsener’s cabinet, works in campus ministry, and coordinates the efforts to promote the Franciscan Sponsorship values – dignity of the individual, peace and justice, reconciliation, and responsible stewardship. 

There’s no doubt the Sisters who taught her at Scecina played a major role in her decision to join the order. 

“During my senior year, I realized I was being called to religious life,” she said. “The only Sisters I knew were Oldenburg Franciscans. They were joyous people who definitely liked working with us. I knew I wanted to make a difference with students like they did.” 

Working for the Father Tom Club and for the Crusader (newspaper) were two important experiences. “Each taught me to work for a goal even when it was hard or I was tired,” she said. 

She cherishes her memories of the Sisters outside the classroom, too. 

“I loved coming home from football games to find the Sisters banging pots and pans to welcome us,” she said. “They could not attend the games but let us know that they were with us in all we did.” 

Marian University celebrates the 80th anniversary of its founding and the legacy of the Sisters at its Courage to Venture Gala on Nov. 10. The Sisters continue to own and sponsor Marian, which is creating an endowment to help retired Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, and to further their legacy through scholarships for low- and middle-income students. 

Although no Sisters work at Scecina now, they remain connected to the school. Sister Barbara Piller is a current member of the Scecina Board of Director. Sister Jean is a past member of the Board and chaired the Mission Effectiveness Committee. 

“Scecina will always be a part of our history,” Sister Jean said. 

As an early Scecina graduate, she knows how important alumni are in giving back to the school. 

“Scecina did much for each of us. I believe we need to give to the present and future students,” she said. “There were no alumni most of my high school life. I don’t know how Scecina was able to do so much for us. I do know that today alumni need to be involved to help build the future.” 

By Charles Sinclair '67

Too old to twirl a baton? No way! say the Twilight Twirlers. 

Loosely modeled after a group in the Villages, Florida, these Scecina alumni prove that you’re never too old to go out and entertain the community.  The group’s inaugural performance was at the Irvington Halloween Festival parade on Saturday, October 28. Well, it’s hard to march without drums, so they’ve added a drumline. And banner carriers. And even a drum major.

Twilight Twirlers have had six practices in the parking lot at Little Flower Catholic Church this fall. Great way to get back in shape and even better way to make new friends and renew old friendships! No high aerial tosses, but the group has a sharp, coordinated look. The women work together to plan their routines and design “uniforms” appropriate to the performance.

The Twilights wish to invite other Scecina alumni who can twirl or play percussion to join. They are also considering adding a pompon group and flag corps. Interested? Just ask to join the Twilight Twirlers group on Facebook or send them a message. Even better – ask one!

The Twilights’ next performance? The Christmas Parade in Nashville, Ind., on Saturday evening, December 2. They’ll have wearable lights and lighted batons and drums. The group is also slated to march in the Indy St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Friday, March 16. 

Current members of the Twilight Twirling Corps include leaders Cindy Werner Woods ‘67, Ginny Walters Allen ‘68, Ann Bower Holmes‘70, and drum major Eileen Griffin Walters ‘71. Twirlers and banner carriers include Connie Eaton Hagist‘64, Melanie Munchel Sheets ‘66, Linda Harris Jerrell ‘68, Mary Ann McMahon Lowe ‘68, Katie Fahey ‘69, Vicki Spalding ‘69, Marilyn Smith Hasty ‘69, Barb Fiddler Lewis ‘73, Cheryl Smith Spencer '73, Michelle Whistler '73, Diane Moorman Tracy ‘79. Members of the drumline are Charles Sinclair '67, Joe O’Connell ‘74, Renee Delano ‘78, and Mike Bowron ‘78. Our photographer is Maureen Griffin ‘68. 

By Bob Golobish, Vice President of Advancement

Scecina graduate Conrad Cortellini ’61 has had an amazing work of art on public display for years. “Total Perspective Vortex,” his creation completed in 1989, has been hanging in the Grand Lobby of Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University since 1992. 

A 25th anniversary celebration took place on November 15, 2017. More than 200 people attended the event at Clowes Hall to admire the work and hear the latest from Cortellini. 

The work’s title is taken from an incredible device found in “The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy,” a radio comedy broadcast on BBC Radio the late 1970s, that later became a popular novel. The vortex provides a glimpse of the entire unimaginable infinity of creation. That’s the stuff of science fiction, but Cortellini’s creation is real. 

The paper relief has two panels, one with a spiral vortex and the other with its mirror image, i.e., the structure is completely reversed. Each section has 12 different colored layers stacked one on top of the other, each representing a different elevation. Conrad Cortellini created the paper relief to honor Dr. Benoit Mandelbrot’s discovery and development of fractal geometry in the 1970s. 

A fractal is a never-ending pattern that repeats itself at different scales. This property is called self-similarity. Although fractals are very complex, they are made by repeating a simple process over and over again. Fractals occur naturally. Seashells, hurricanes, and galaxies are the most well-known examples. Mathematical fractals like the Mandelbrot Set are formed by calculating a simple equation thousands of times, feeding the answer back in as input. 

Cortellini has a studio at Scecina, where he is the school’s artist in residence. He is working on a “Feedback Fractal - A Monument For Our Time.” The effort incorporates fractal math, computer coding to generate patterns, and "distributed art production" to build a community of artisans to assemble the required 300,000 folded paper elements by hand. When complete it will be the largest, handmade 3D fractal in the world. 

Name: Jim Parise
Year of Scecina Graduation: 1987
College/University: Ball State University 
Degree: B.S. in Finance with a minor in Economics
Current Position: Director of Fixed Income Investments
Employer: Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation

By Rose Branson, Donor and Alumni Relations Coordinator

Jim Parise '87 traveled the farthest among his classmates for his 30th class reunion this past October. It's 3,200 miles from his current home in Juneau, Alaska, to Indianapolis.

For the past 17 years, Jim has been living a life of adventure on the Last Frontier.

“After 30 years, I still feel like a member of the Scecina Community even though I live thousands of miles away. That feeling will never go away and giving is one small way to feel connected and help current students experience what I did at Scecina,” said Jim, who makes it a point to travel home for his reunions every 10 years.

Jim grew up at St. Simon parish and attended grade school there before heading off to Scecina. While at Scecina, Jim was on the wrestling team and enjoyed socializing with friends during and after school.

“I wrestled at Scecina under Coach Mark Steinmetz, who was tough as nails but cared deeply for his wrestlers. Wrestling at Scecina also taught me how to deal with defeat,” said Jim. “It could be humiliating to lose in front of your family and friends, but it made me realize the world kept going and those close to me only cared that I gave it my all.”

Jim also joked that he felt he was not a great student compared to his peers at Scecina, but he went on to do very well at Ball State University.

“When I arrived at college, I did much better than I or my parents thought I would and I attribute it all to my experience at Scecina,” said Jim. “In college and in life, the Catholic education I received proved invaluable.”

Jim and his wife, Kelly, and their four children, Maren, Nick, Anna, and Matthew, live in the state capital of Juneau, where Jim is Director of Fixed Income at the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation (APFC). He is responsible for investing the $11 billion bond portfolio that is part of a $60 billion overall investment portfolio for the APFC.

The APFC manages the assets of the Alaska Permanent Fund and other state investments. The Permanent fund was created in an amendment to the Alaska Constitution upon completion of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. It set aside some oil revenues into a dedicated fund for future generations who would not have the oil as a resource.

On a daily basis, Jim is trading bonds and speaking to the major Wall Street banks in order to manage the portfolio.

Although his adopted state has its own Alaska Time Zone, Jim works New York hours, so he gets out of work at 2 p.m. and enjoys his afternoons fishing, hiking, and exploring with his family.

“I have been in Alaska for 17 years and it has been a wonderful experience for me and family,” says Jim.

Jim concludes that, “Scecina sent me into the world with a moral compass that helped guide me through many different challenges and experiences after high school.”

Name: Gloria (Quiroz) Pavlik
Year of Scecina Graduation: 1990
College/University: Indiana University 
Degrees: B.A. in Communications Studies; M.S. in College Student Personnel Administration 
Current Position: Director of the Office of Retention and Graduation 
Employer: Ball State University

By Beth Murphy, Director of Marketing Communications

After Gloria (Quiroz) Pavlik graduated from Scecina in 1990, she headed off to Indiana University as a first-generation college student, earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. It’s no surprise she ended up working in education, now at Ball State University, where she sometimes runs into former Crusaders who now are Cardinals.

“Being part of the Scecina community helped me to develop a sense of purpose and an understanding that education is the means for improving your future,” Gloria says. “Sometimes I can’t believe that I get paid to help other students develop themselves and build skills for their future in the field of Student Affairs.” 

As Director of the Office of Retention and Graduation, her focus is helping students succeed in college. She especially enjoys working with 21st Century Scholar students at Ball State. Indiana’s 21st Century Scholar program assists low-income students, by providing a financial aid award that covers tuition. Pavlik helps them navigate the system at Ball State and connect them with resources so they can be successful at college. 

Pavlik describes herself as a “very shy person most of my life.” At Scecina, she broke out of her shell to create her own identity. 

“I enjoyed singing with the choir and volunteering at class retreats,” she said. “One of my greatest memories is being part of the cast of the musical ‘Little Shop of Horrors.’ I still have the playbill from that performance.” 

Through Scecina’s Honors program, she attended arts and cultural events that she otherwise would not have been exposed to. Those experiences led her to provide extra-curricular programming for her Ball State students and opportunities to hear from inspirational speakers on campus. 

Gloria was raised in “a very dedicated Catholic family,” with parents who worked hard to put her, her sister, Maria Quiroz-Southwood ’89, and her brother, Jesse Quiroz ’94, through Little Flower and Scecina. Her parents and brother still live in the Scecina neighborhood. Her mom’s salon, Marcarena, is at the corner of 10th and Linwood. (“I am Eastside proud!” Gloria says) Her dad, she says, still proudly wears her Scecina letter jacket!

Her family and Scecina also taught her the values of social justice, equity and empowerment. 

“As a Catholic school, Scecina promotes the pillar of all Catholic faith that all are welcome,” she said. “That is something that has always been important to me, that access and equity be paramount to the places where I live and work.” 

Gloria has remained active in charities and in the Church, including teaching Sunday Religious Education for many years and serving as an extra-ordinary minister at her parish. 

She and her husband have chosen Catholic schools for their children, who they adopted in 2015. “Their smaller class size, focus on faith and education was the perfect fit as they learned the English language and became true members of the community through athletics, scouts and volunteer opportunities,” she said. 

Gloria said she doesn’t get back to Indianapolis as often as she used to, but she drives by Scecina when she does. 

“I think it is important to remember where you came from and give back to the community that was there for you,” she said. “One of my favorite recent connections was joining the Scecina Women’s Circle. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be part of a movement that empowers the women of Scecina and also promotes scholarship and giving back to the Scecina community.” 

“...see nature as a magnificent book in which God speaks to us and grants us a glimpse of his infinite beauty and goodness.” — Pope Francis, Laudato si’ 

By Bob Golobish, Vice President of Advancement

They are everywhere in nature. Many are hidden. Others are in plain sight. There wasn’t a word to describe them until 1975. That’s when the mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot coined the word “fractal.” 

In a 2010 TED Talk on fractals, Mandelbrot asked the audience to think of a cauliflower because “...it's very complicated and it's very simple, both at the same time.” He went on to say, “ … if you cut ... one of the florets of a cauliflower and look at it separately, you think of a whole cauliflower, but smaller. And then you cut again, again, again, ... you still get small cauliflowers. So the experience of humanity has always been that there are some shapes which have this peculiar property, that each part is like the whole, but smaller.” 

A fractal is a never-ending pattern that repeats itself at different scales. This property is called self-similarity. Although fractals are very complex, they are made by repeating a simple process over and over again. The “peculiar property” that Mandelbrot mentioned is found in galaxies, trees, flowers, broccoli, river networks, mountains, clouds, coastlines, lightning bolts, blood vessels in our bodies, bronchial tubes in our lungs, all are examples of naturally occurring fractals. 

Scecina Memorial High School’s artist-in-residence, Conrad Cortellini ‘61, has been captivated by the complexity and simplicity of fractals since he first read an article in Scientific American in 1985 about how fractal images could be created using a computer. 

That article inspired him to create "Total Perspective Vortex," which has been hanging in the Grand Lobby of Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University since 1992. The 8-foot x 16-foot computer-generated paper relief has two panels, one with a positive spiral vortex and the other with its spatial compliment. A 25th anniversary celebration took place on November 15, 2017. 

Cortellini started his current project several years ago when he used a computer software program to produce a simulated video feedback fractal. He captured one digital image of the constantly changing fractal and then set out to transform each pixels of the digital image into thousands of 1/2-inch x 1/2-inch paper tubes of varying height. Cortellini calls this basic fundamental unit an “element.” 

Building each element takes time. “It is an intentional, serious work of art and it takes great care to assemble each individual element of the fractal,” Cortellini noted. “There is precision cutting, folding and gluing involved in each element,” he added. 

From the elements, Cortellini is building a three-dimensional fractal that when complete will be 32-feet wide x 24-feet high portrait of Chaos. The work has been subdivided into twelve Quadros each comprised of 25,600 elements. The first 8-feet x 8-feet Quadro was built and is on display at DeveloperTown, an incubator for entrepreneurs near Broad Ripple in Indianapolis. A second Quadro is being built at Scecina. A third is planned for Shortridge High School. Regarding the immensity of his "Feedback Fractal Project," Conrad says. “I believe in doing the most that I can do, not the least.” 

A deep thinker, Cortellini has explored the connection between Fractals, Chaos Theory, Complexity, and Dynamics (the new geometry of behavior) and is eager to talk about all of it. "These new developments in science and mathematics are providing a deeper understanding of complex dynamical systems such as the stock market, the weather, and even human culture," he contends. 

Regarding human culture, Cortellini thinks Chaos Theory can help us understand our "tumultuous times" and our "geopolitical situation." He thinks the world is at a "chaos point" or critical juncture and a new order will soon emerge. This new order, whether it is good or bad for humanity, depends on the choices we make regarding our relationships with each other and the environment. 

All of this has been the inspiration for his "Feedback Fractal Project," which Cortellini sees as a "Monument for Our Time." 

Scecina junior Tori Williams has enjoyed creating the small paper tubes for the project. “I like it. It has helped me develop patience and focus and I like the challenge. My technique has improved,” she noted. Scecina sophomore Allie Foley says she “also like the challenge and doing a small thing that is part of a very big project is rewarding. I like being part of an ambitious project. I didn’t think I would ever have the opportunity to do something like this,” she said. When it comes to fractal vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower, Michael Young, a sophomore who works on the project, likes them both. Tori and Allie, paused for a moment, smiled and said they definitely favor broccoli. 

Skilled artisans from all walks of life are needed to work on the fractal. Scecina students, alumni and parents who want to spend some time working together or just slow down are welcome to participate in the project. The slow, careful work allows the artisan’s mind to escape the pressures of contemporary life and reflect on the beauty of God’s creation. If you are interested in learning more about Cortellini’s project or visiting his studio at Scecina, contact him at conrad.cortellini@gmail.com. 

Name: Bill Bevan
Year of Scecina Graduation: 1963
College: Marian
Current Position: NBA scorekeeper; retired from Allstate 
Employer: Indiana Pacers

“I’m one of those people, when I decide it’s time … then it’s time.” – Bill Bevan ’63, longtime official scorekeeper for the Indiana Pacers 

By Beth Murphy, Director of Marketing Communications 

As the last remaining scorekeeper from the original Indiana Pacers ABA team, Bill Bevan ’63 has seen a lot of basketball. And, from his courtside seat with the NBA Pacers, he has seen the big names in the game. But Bevan is ready to walk away from all the excitement.

It’s been a nice, long run: 51 years and three different arenas, the Coliseum, Market Square Arena and now Bankers Life Fieldhouse. 

“I’m not dragging my feet. It’s time,” said Bevan, who is a regular substitute teacher at Scecina and also has coached many Crusaders sports teams over the years. 

“His years of service and dedication to the Pacers’ franchise is not only a tremendous accomplishment but a tremendous credit to Bill,” said David Benner, director of Indiana Pacers Media Relations and Bill’s boss. 

“To devote your life to something outside of your job and your family for this long requires great balance and ability to do so. It’s easy to say we’re sorry to see Bill retire, but it’s also easy to say, go enjoy your darn retirement! You’ve earned it, you deserve it and, also, thank you!” 

Bevan isn’t quite sure when his last NBA game will be. The Pacers will decide that by how they play from now until the end of the regular season and how far they go into the playoffs. During Bevan’s final season, visiting teams have been presenting him with signed team jerseys and t-shirts. 

Bevan's first job with the Pacers was as the rebounding tally for the team. (His day job was with Allstate insurance.) He became the official Pacers scorekeeper in 1970. 

Indianapolis Star sportswriter Zak Keefer wrote this about Bevan in May 2014: “He's joked with Michael Jordan before tip-offs, traded barbs with Charles Barkley in the locker room and formed friendships he's carried with him all his adult life. 

"For me, it's about the people," Bevan told Keefer. “This is the best part-time job in the world. Always has been." 

In an interview in January of last year with the Pacers’ Eddie White, Bevan said he’s probably the most known for the time Lance Stephenson landed on him at the scorers’ table. Click here to listen to White’s interview with Bevan (the interview starts at 29:41 of the broadcast). 

On one of Bevan’s days subbing in the seniors’ Catholic Theology class, a student asked him to name his favorite player of all time. While Bevan is hesitant to choose one player above all others, he’s adamant about his favorite Pacers team: the first ABA team in its first season. 

“Those guys were just coming out of college, and were the same age as I was,” he told his class. “It was a family back then. It’s all business now. The NBA is all business.” 

Bevan also became close friends with Mel Daniels, who was the ABA Most Valuable Player in 1969 and 1971 and led the Pacers to three ABA championships. Bevan said he misses Daniels, who died in October 2015. 

You have to assume Bevan played basketball for the Crusaders: “Well, I was on the team” is his response. He was coached all four years at Scecina by Ray Riley, who later became Scecina's principal. 

Bevan certainly has enjoyed rubbing shoulders with the best pro players, such as Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James. But he knows it’s time to go. 

Bevan said he and his wife, Sheryl, want to travel more during the Indiana winters. Late last fall, during an extended Pacers away trip, Bevan was walking on the beach in his shorts. At the moment, he decided this NBA season would be his last with the Pacers. 

By Beth Murphy, Director of Marketing Communications 

Though Joe Caito and Kate (Jeffers) Schreiber graduated from Scecina years apart, but they share a common bond as entrepreneurs and businesspeople. They were the first two in a series of alumni speakers who are sharing their wisdom with 23 current Scecina students in the business management class. 

After Joe Caito graduated from Scecina in 1963, he and brother Phil, Scecina Class of 1961, started to build what became a thriving business delivering fresh produce. 

As a Crusader with more than five decades of business experience under his belt, Mr. Caito was a fitting choice to be the first speaker. Mrs. Schreiber ‘91, who has been building a Bricks 4 Kidz franchise for five years, was the second speaker for the class. 

The business management class is an advanced-level business course that focuses on the opportunities and challenges of ethically managing a business in the free enterprise system. 

Mr. Caito shared insights about leadership, innovation, and management. 

He and his brother started their business in Downtown Indianapolis in the early 1960s. The business grew and became Caito Foods LLC, a company specializing in fresh produce distribution and fresh food processing to customers nationwide. Caito Foods reported sales of more than $700 million in fiscal 2016. In January 2017 the sale of Caito Foods to Spartan Nash was finalized in a deal reported to be worth more than $217 million. Spartan Nash, based in Grand Rapids, Mich., is a grocery retailer-distributor. 

“I was intrigued to hear how he started from the bottom and strived to get to the top,” said senior Abe Avila. 

“Several students came up after class to ask Mr. Caito some of their business-related questions,” said business teacher Pam Brake. “I think they really liked hearing from someone who has actually been successful in real life doing some of the things that they are just beginning to learn about.” 

Mrs. Schreiber and her husband, Ben, also a 1991 graduates of Scecina, started their franchise five years ago. Bricks 4 Kidz is nationwide franchise with the motto “We Learn. We Build. We Play.” It offers camps and afterschool workshops that focuses on STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) by teaching kids how to build with Legos blocks. Students even use robotics and build creations with moving parts. 

The Schreibers started the second Bricks 4 Kidz in Indiana. 

Mrs. Schreiber, a former teacher, said she decided to build the business methodically, only offering afterschool programs. It took a lot of time, persistence, and energy in the beginning. The business, which expanded into summertime camps, now the business is profitable, she said. 

Mrs. Brake said it’s been especially helpful for students to know that the speakers are alumni of Scecina Memorial High School. 

“They’re someone successful who comes from a background similar to theirs,” she said. “They appreciated the time they took to be with them and look forward to hearing more from other Scecina alumni.” 

Students will hear from more, including Dr. Sheila (Barton) Bosron ’60 and Rick Smith ’69, who are scheduled to speak this semester.