Hackett HappeningsHackett Catholic Prep 381-2646 April May 2016

Important Dates April 2-10 Spring BreakApril 11 School ResumesApril 26 NHS InductionApril 29 Work-a-thon 1/2 Day April 30 Prom & Promenade

May 24-26 Senior Exams May 25 Awards NightMay 30 Memorial Day No School

June 1 Baccalaureate Mass June 5 GraduationJune 6-9 Exams 1/2 DaysJune 9 Last Day of School

Hall of Fame

Hackett Catholic Prep is proud to

announce the 2016 Athletic Hall

of Fame Inductees. The 2016

Inductees will be honored at the

Hall of Fame Induction Dinner at

Hackett Catholic Prep on April 29.

Tickets are priced at $25. Social

hour begins at 6:00pm and dinner

at 7:00 pm, with the induction cer-

emony to follow. Please join us in

honoring these standouts for their

accomplishments. Call the main

office at 269.381.2646 for more ticket information.

The 2016 inductees are:

Joel Nitchman

Pamela Jefson Coleman

Denny Cooley

Mary Wheeler Settlemier

David “Tree” Johnson

Ron Welch

Thank You.....

A huge thank you to all who helped make the Shamrock Auction a success. We appreciate all the hard work by so many people. Thank you so much.

Shamrock Auction Committee:Jane & Steve Clark

Logistics ChairsSarah & Tim Harding Acquisitions Chairs

Gwen & Dave BudayReservations/Publicity Chairs

Kate Willard Advancement Director

Linda Pickornik Advancement Assistant

Drew Uryga Sponsorship

Lisa Cavanaugh & Sarah Conroy Balloon Pop

Shawn Birman Table Decorations

Kelly Burdgick & Mary Wilson Invitations

Laura Toweson Data Input

Sarah Gillig & Kate Willard Student Coordination

Acquisitions Committee:Karen & Mike Browne Andi Gallagher

Tim WenzelMary & Kent Matthews

Laura Masztak Lori Yelton

Cathy & Joel Schneck Dawn Cleaver Julie Wheaton

Colleen & Bob Benjamin Joanna Dales

Theresa KrawczykMary & Pat O'Brien

Anne Widger Betsy Marshall

Mary Ellen Yealin Craig Stull

Diane MatyasMary Beth Romano

John Creek Betsy GesmundoRich Klemmer Sue Schlack

Ed Amat

Also, thank you to:The Bog Road

Pre-dinner MusicPaul Bridenstine

Master of CeremoniesDrew Uryga & Ed Amat

Live Auction AuctioneersRebecca Radomsky & Mitch Yelton

Student EmceesNoah Wickham & Joe Carr

Technical SupportAnd all our Shamrock

Auction Sponsors!

Mitch Yelton and Becca Radomskyare student Emcees at Auction

Ron Cavanaugh and Riley Gallagher pose for a picture on the Yamaha Mopeds that were up

for bid at the aution

The Monsignor John R. Hackett Bishops Service Award is awarded yearly to an adult member or members of the Hackett school community who has embodies the spirit of caring and volunteerism that makes the home of the Irish a very special place. The award is presented in the honor of the Bishops of the Diocese of Kalamazoo whose collective vision is lived out through the mission of the school. The 2016 Bishops Service Award recipients are Lori & Ballard Jay ’78 Yelton.

Lori and Jay have been involved and supportive of Catho-lic schools in Kalamazoo for many years. For Jay, or BJ as he was known at Hackett, that involvement began as a student leader. He emulated the spirit of service his own parents showed as he and his siblings grew up in Catho-lic schools. As parents, Lori and Jay sent their boys to St. Monica Catholic School and on to Hackett Catholic Prep. They supported them in all their activities and volunteered to help with any event or need. During his service as Presi-dent of the Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo Board of Directors, Jay did a great deal to help move our schools forward. Jay and Lori have been consistent supporters of the school community in and out of the classroom, through sports and events, and well beyond.

Lori and Jay Yelton ‘78Bishops’ Award Recipients

Lori says, “Hackett has been very important to us from the beginning. The school has provided so many opportunities to our sons, like sports and theatre, and lifelong friend-ships.”She and Jay have also gained lifelong friends through the school community, she adds, who “come together when a family is in need, but also to celebrate together.”

Every project they took on was an opportunity to make a connection with many great people, Jay says, and a chance to have fun while doing something worthwhile.

H a c k e t t C a t h o l i c Prep thanks the Yeltons for their exempla ry service to the Hackett community!

The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes those from Kalamazoo’s Catholic High Schools who have made significant contributions to so-ciety by taking the best of what Catholic education has to offer and sharing it with others.

This year’s recipient is Kelli Rowley Rider, a Hackett graduate from the Class of 1982. Kelli was active as a student and was a leader in her class. As a Hackett Catholic Prep staff member, she continues to build a bond with current students, future students and alumni from all class-es. She celebrates her Catholic education and shares that with not only our students but the Greater Kalamazoo area. As a servant leader she carries on the legacy of Hackett’s first lady Jan Boyle. Kelli goes out of her way to help those in need and is a smiling face to all who come into the office at Hackett. She is also an invaluable aid to Hackett’s chaplain and chapel program.

Principal Brian Kosmerick considers Kelli to be a perfect choice for this recognition. “When I think of our Catholic schools and the education our students receive, and how they go out into the world and share what they have learned, Kelli is one hundred percent someone who spreads that message. She takes the best part of our education and

brings it into the world. She shows our students what it is to serve others.”

According to Kelli, Hackett is “my favorite place in the world to be, other than at home. It’s an honor to be able to take the things that are most important to me – faith, service, leadership, family – out into the world. We learn how to do that here at Hackett.”

One way that lesson is learned is through the example of Mrs. Rider. Hackett Catholic Prep is fortunate to have her in our school community each day, and proud to call her an alumna!

2016 Distinguished AlumniKelli Rowley Rider ‘82

Counseling

Corner

AP EXAMS

Advanced Placement exams will be administered, at Hackett, during the weeks of May 2 & May 9. These tests are given to students who are cur-rently taking AP courses. If you have questions regarding testing, please contact Mrs. Betsy Ulbrich. Log onto: www.collegeboard.com for specific test times, dates and test content.

Last Call for ACT & SAT

Students who have not taken the ACT or SAT, or who would like to retest, may take advantage of the last test-ing opportunities of this school year. The ACT will be given on June 11, 2016, with a registration deadline of May 6. Hackett’s School Code is: 232174. Register on-line at: www.act.org The SAT is offered on May 7 and June 4, with registration dead-lines of April 8 and May 11, respec-tively. Register on-line at: www.collegeboard.com Students often improve their scores the second time they take the ACT/SAT. We strongly recommend that your student tests more than once. Their score results will make up an important part of the college admission decision!

-SENIORS - College Admission

Decisions

After you receive your college admis-sion office decisions, you must notify each college or university who ac-cepted you whether you are accept-ing or declining their offer. You should make these notifications as soon as you have made a final decision as to which college you plan to attend, but no later than May 1. (It is understood that May 1 will be the postmark date.) Confirm your intention to enroll and, if required, submit your enrollment deposit to only one college or uni-versity. An exception to this arises if you have been put on a deferred/wait list by a college or university and are later admitted to that institution. You may then accept that offer and send a deposit. However, you must immedi-ately notify the college or university at which you previously indicated you would enroll that you will now not be attending. (Not all college enrollment deposits are refundable.) When you make your final decision, inform the guidance office so that your, required, final transcript may be sent to the ap-propriate college/university admission office.

Junior Parent Night

The next junior parent night will be held on April 19th at 7:00pm in the cafeteria. The Hackett Guidance Department will be presenting infor-mation on the entire college appli-cation process, including Hackett’s procedure in applying to schools. Topics will include completing the application, deadlines, letters of recommendations, resumes, essay writing, transcripts and navigating The Common Application.

Although the final decision in se-lecting a college involves parents, the work involved in the college ap-plication/selection process is the responsibility of the student. Stu-dents are welcome AND strongly encouraged to attend this meeting. If you have any questions, please contact Betsy Ulbrich at 381-2646, ext. 136.

Below: HCP Staff serves ice cream to stu-dents to celebrate Catholic Schools Week

Grad Bash

The Grad Bash Committee would like

to thank everyone who helped with

the Ample Pantry Fundraisers and to

all who ordered dinners during con-

ferences!!

Work-a-Thon

Over 250 Hackett Catholic Prep students will be going out into our community, giving back with appreciation for all the good work being done through the non-prof-it/charitable organizations that aid residents in Kala-mazoo and surrounding areas.

The 5th Annual Work-a-thon, will be held the morning of Friday, April 29th, rain or shine! Depending on the location, students will be doing grounds clean-up, sort-ing or stocking items, cleaning, sewing, and a variety of other things. We will be working with many of our local parishes, Catholic Family Services, Loaves and Fishes, Ministry with Community, the Gospel Mission, and many other community agencies.

Students will then return to Hackett for our customary picnic lunch of hot dogs on the grill (or veggie subs), pop, chips, veggies, and dessert. Students will then be released for the remainder of the day.

We are always looking for parent helpers…please con-sider volunteering that day!

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer please contact Pat Byrne or Barb Hargarther at 381-2646 or pbyrne@hackettcp.org or bhargarther@hack-ettcp.org. Thank you very much for your continued sup-port. We are looking forward to a great day!

The Hackett Catho-lic Prep Earth Club will host their sec-ond annual paint recycling drive on April 23, 2016, in conjunction with Paint Recycling Services, LLC and

ePaint Recycling. Owned by Hackett alumnus Jim Cos-by ’85 and managed by parent of Hackett alumni Jim Stephanak, ePaint Recycling uses otherwise landfill-bound paint to produce new paint for Habitat for Hu-manity homes and ReStores.

Community members will have the opportunity to bring in old latex and oil-based paint to an easy collection point at Hackett Catholic Prep. A portion of the recy-cling fee will be donated to the HCP Earth Club to sup-port their activities.

The drive will take place on Saturday, April 23, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Hackett Catholic Prep parking lot. Further information is available at hackettcatholicprep.org.

Hackett Band News

Results from Festival Competitions:

• In February, the Hackett Concert Band attended the District Band Festival. The band performed their fes-tival program and a sight-reading evaluation receiving the distinction of Division 1 Ratings from all four adjudicators. Great job band!

• In February, three band students participated in the District Solo & Ensemble Festival and earned Division 1 Ratings from their adjudicator “representing an excellent level of performance and musicianship.” The students also qualified for the State Solo & Ensemble Festival. Congratu-lations to Abby Eastman (flute), Ian Poage (trombone), and Becca Radomsky (tenor saxophone).

Upcoming Performances:

• April 28, the Hackett Jazz Band will perform at the Thornapple Arts Council Jazz Festival in Hastings, Michi-gan. Time TBA.

• May 21, 2016, 7-10pm: Hackett Catholic Prep Mu-sic Boosters presents live jazz at the Hackett Cafe featur-ing the Hackett Jazz Band. It’s not just a concert; it’s a Party! Purchase tickets online at www.hackettcp.org

HCP Choir

Please join the Hackett Catholic Prep Choir for a Sacred Concert on March 29th at 7:00 pm in the Hackett Chapel. Listen to the beauti-ful harmonies of the spiritual music from the

great masters to modern gospel. There will be a reception in the cafeteria immediately fol-

lowing the concert. Free admission and all are welcome .

Hope to see you there!

Our Students Shine

March 2016

Seussical

Shamrock Auction

Used Book Turn In News

Once again this year, we will be collecting used books on the last days of school. Listed below are some important dates and pricing informa-tion:We will collect used books on the following dates:

May 26, 2016 Seniors June 9, 2016 Underclassmen

Please use the following procedures for preparing used books for re-sale:

1) Check the list of “Books Not to Buy Used” for the 2016-2017 school year. Any books on this list should not be turned in for resale, but you may donate them back to school for recycling. Each student will receive this list when I go around to the classrooms in May.

2) Place a piece of masking tape on the outside cover of each book you will be selling. On this, legibly write your student’s name, and selling price of the book.

3) I will be going into various classrooms to help students with preparing books for resale. We will give each student a personalized carbon form to list the books (and their prices) that they will be turn-ing in. This form must be used to turn in their books. Please help your student in preparing this form and pricing their books. NOTE: When filling in the original form, they should list the name of the book, not the subject the book is for.

There will be a 15% service and handling fee for each book sold. There-fore, if you ask $50 for a book, you will receive $42.50.

To help control costs, the LAC has determined that price controls should be put in place for used text books. A chart with prices will be distributed to students when I go to the classrooms. I will use Amazon and e-bay as guides to determine what the books are selling for online .The goal is to provide guidance for resale prices and control costs.

The combined new/used book sale will be on Saturday, August 13. Times will be posted at a later date. We will need lots of volunteers to work at the sale in August. If you are interested, please call Linda Pickornik at 381-2646 ext. 108. Parents who help with the sale and/or collection of books will have the opportunity to purchase their books at an earlier date.

·Combination locks purchased here orig-inally can be used year after year. Have your student tuck their lock away in a safe place and use it again next year.·The 2016-17 book list with prices will be available in the office the week of the book sale.·There will be no refunds for used books purchased and only in the event of a schedule change for new books. New books can only be returned in perfect condition!·Used books that are left after the August 13th sale will still be available the next week. This is a nice option for those that are not able to make it here on the booksale day.·Since we will continue to have the re-maining used books available for sale, we will not issue checks for used books sold until the first week in October.

“Books Not to Buy Used”

A list of the “Books Not to Buy Used” will be given to the students when I go around to the classrooms. All work-books and lab books cannot be turned in to sell because the students write in them. Make sure the books you are buying privately from friends will be used in the 2016-2017 school year.

If you have any questions, please call Linda Pickornik at 381-2646 ext.108. I will try to help in any way I can with your questions.

Call Linda Pickornik at 381-2646 ext. 108 if you would like to

work the book sale.

Pep Rally during Winterfest Week

Athletic Hall of Fame 2016

24th Annual Kalamazoo Area Catholic Schools Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

Continued on next page

Joel Nitchman

Class of 2005

Joel was an outstanding student-athlete at Hackett Catholic Central and graduated in 2005. He was a forward/center on the Irish basketball team.

Joel excelled in football. He was a two time all KVA performer. As an offensive line-man, he graded out at 91% in his blocking assignments as a senior, and he was rated the top offensive lineman in Michigan. In his senior season, Joel also played defensive tackle and had 73 tackles, including seven sacks.

Joel accepted a scholarship to play at Michigan State University where he continued to excel. Joel was an anchor on the MSU offensive line and received many accolades, including being named an All-Big 10 performer as a senior. He was the Spartan’s out-standing Underclass lineman as a junior and received the most outstanding lineman award as a senior.

Joel graduated from MSU in 2009 with a degree in Criminal Justice.Joel is a police officer, and lives with His wife Pepper, their daughter while awaiting the birth of their second child in May of 2016.

Pamela Jefson Coleman

Class of 2002

Pamela personifies the term: “Student-Athlete”. While at Hackett she earned nine varsity athletic letters and two as a member of the Quiz Bowl Team. The letters came in Tennis (4), Volleyball (3), Softball and Track.

Pamela was honored as an All-KVA performer seven times while representing the Irish. Pam was a four time individual conference champion in Tennis and her Tennis Teams captured four team titles. Those teams also captured four Regional Team champion-ships. Pamela was a two time state finals qualifier in Tennis and once in Track and Field. When she graduated, she held the school shot put record. She also led her team to the MHSAA Volleyball semi-finals her junior year.

Pamela graduated as the Co-Valedictorian of the class of 2002 and took her academic and athletic talents to South Bend as she enrolled at the University of Notre Dame. While at Notre Dame, Pamela earned three Varsity Letters in Women’s Rowing and led her team to the first NCAA Finals appearance in school history, as the captain in 2006.Along the way, the honors kept coming. She won three Big East Conference Individual Championships, while her team won the Big East Championship in 2004, 2005, 2006, and in each of those years, she was a Big East Academic All-Star.

Pamela graduated cum laude with a BS in chemical engineering, winning the depart-mental Dean’s Award, given annually to the senior who demonstrates high academic and extra-curricular success.

David “Tree” Johnson

Class of 1972David is a 1972 graduate of Hackett, and is one of the best basketball players to wear the green and white.

David is a three time all conference performer on the hard court. He led his teams to multiple championships, including district championships in his Junior and Senior seasons.

David was a respected student-athlete at Hackett, as evidenced by being named a team captain in his last two years in the Irish basketball program.

As a junior, David was named to the All-State Honorable Mention team, to the All-Conference, All City teams and was a Greater Kalamazoo All Star.

In his senior campaign, David received many accolades, including being named, All-Conference, All City, a Greater Kalamazoo All Star and a First Team All-State per-former.

David took his talents to Kalamazoo Valley Community College, and again achieved All-Conference status.

David is a devoted Hackett Irish fan and can still be seen at games at least once per week.

Mary Wheeler Settlemier

Class of 1990

Mary was an outstanding student-athlete at Hackett, graduating in 1990, having earned 11 varsity letters. Mary was an all-around athlete earning varsity letters (2) in soccer, (2) in Cheer, while she served as the school mascot, (3) in basketball and (4) in vol-leyball. Mary qualified as a sophomore to participate on the Junior Olympic Volleyball team, and enjoyed that experience for a season. Mary was selected to the All-Confer-ence team several times during her time at Hackett, and as a senior, was named the Most Valuable Player in both Volleyball and Basketball. Mary was a team leader and driving force as Hackett captured their first District Championship title in 1989.

Mary was recruited to play basketball and volleyball at Nazareth Col-lege and she took her academic and athletic skills there and succeeded in grand fashion. She earned two varsity letters and was a member of the 1990 National Championship Volleyball Team, which was the only national title won by the school. Nazareth closed their doors in 1991, which was a sad occasion for Mary. At that time, Mary was recruited to play volleyball at St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN, where she earned three varsity letters in volleyball. Mary majored in communi-cations and graduated from St. Mary’s College in 1994.

Upon graduation, Mary began her career in Marketing and Sales and even came home to coach the 1995 freshman volleyball team here at Hackett. Mary and Christian were married in 1996, when Mary became

a Navy pilot’s wife. Upon completing his service, Christian and Mary entered civilian life and moved to Dallas, TX where they currently live with their four children.

Mary continues to support Catholic education and athletics. She is the admissions co-ordinator at Holy Trinity Catholic School, working with new families and handling the school’s marketing and PR. She is also coaching basketball and volleyball for 6th, 7th and 8th graders, including her own children.

Athletic Hall of Fame 2016

Ron Welch

Ron Welch has a history with our Catholic Schools that spans nearly 40 years and it continues to this day. Ron began coaching basketball at St. Joseph School in the late 1970’s and moved to Hackett as an assistant varsity coach in the girl’s program when Mike Low was our head coach.

Among the hats Ron has worn here at Hackett, his most proud is that of a father of five Hackett graduates.

Coach Welch has coached basketball, softball, baseball and football here at Hackett. His trademark sport is basketball, which he coached well and for a long time. He was an assistant varsity coach during five different seasons, and has been at the helm of our program during several seasons, with two different tenures.

As head basketball coach at Hackett, one of the highlights is certainly a second place finish in the KVA in the same year that the Irish defeated rival Kalamazoo Christian in the District Championship game.

Ron also served the school as Director of Athletics, in a time when he was needed due to his coaching skills, his people skills and his public image. He was one of the people that rallied support to help grow the enrollment on Kilgore Rd.

Ron is well known for his tremendous success as a college basketball coach. He served as Head Women’s Coach at Nazareth College and 20 years at the helm of the program at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, where his teams rose to national prominence.

Coach Welch is still involved in our football and baseball programs, and is a positive image for our school.

Denny Cooley

A longtime volunteer for several fundraising efforts for the Catholic Schools of Kala-mazoo, primarily St. Augustine and Hackett, Denny has given much time and work for the betterment of our schools and athletic departments. Denny served as President of the St Augustine’s Sports Boosters for eight years and for fifteen years, he was in-volved in the Catholic School’s Hall of Fame.

Denny enjoyed a 30+ year career as a broadcaster, including doing the play-by-play for radio and television for over 1,000 prep and collegiate football and basketball games. He served the WMU Women’s Basketball program handling the radio call of their games for five years.

Denny received the “Telly Award”, in 2003, for his work as the host and producer of Kalamazoo Lively Arts for PBS television in Michigan. Many other regional and national honors were bestowed on Denny for his public broadcasting work.

In his spare time, Denny helped with the Westwood Little League as a board member and coached baseball for 25 years.

Hall of Fame Induction and Dinner

April 29

6:00 pm Happy Hour

7:00 pm Dinner

Please call

Kelli at 269-381-2646 for more information

$25 per person