The Paw

This week's Alumni Spotlight highlights Frank Whalen (Class of 1979), who is semi-retired, but also does work as a consultant

Why do you support Lake Catholic?

Lake Catholic taught me lifelong lessons and grew my Christian and Catholic beliefs exponentially.

What specific areas or missions are you drawn to at Lake Catholic?

Performing Arts and Athletics. Played football and baseball while I was there so I know how tough that is and always admired those that can get on stage and transport the audience with them.

What do you wish others knew about Lake Catholic?

Education is fantastic but that’s true of many high schools. The lifelong friendships you develop are priceless.

What is your favorite memory of Lake Catholic?

A few BIG sporting events but our Junior and Senior retreats stand out the most. The memories of bonding with your classmates away from the daily class schedule will stick with me forever

What are you currently up to? What's new and exciting that you have going on now?

Enjoying a less stressful time in my career and traveling with my wife of 40 years.

If you're interested in being a part of our Alumni Spotlight, or would like to nominate someone, please reach out to our Director of Alumni Relations Bill Weaver.

This week's Alumni Spotlight highlights Eileen Kilroy (Class of 1976), a Senior Compliance Analyst at Liberty Mutual Insurances Company.

Why do you support Lake Catholic?

I was very fortunate to attend Lake Catholic, and I am blessed that many of the relationships I first developed there continue today.  So now that I am able, I try to share my time, talent, and treasure.

What specific areas or missions are you drawn to at Lake Catholic?

Visual and Performing Arts

What do you wish others knew about Lake Catholic?

Lake Catholic continues to be a special place where all of its students are uniquely valued, supported, and encouraged in all aspects of their high school educational experience, including academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities.

What is your favorite memory of Lake Catholic?

My time spent in various art classes and working behind the scenes on the plays and musicals.

What are you currently up to? What's new and exciting that you have going on now?

I am still not ready to retire, and I am fortunate to be working remotely. I continue to volunteer at my local parish, St. Mary Magdalene in Willowick, on several committees, but especially the Art and Environment Committee which decorates the church for each liturgical season. I have been a Class Ambassador for the Class of 1976 for the last two years and worked with a great team of classmates on the annual Alumni Class Challenge. And just recently I was privileged to participate in the working groups to assist in developing a strategic plan for Lake Catholic.

If you're interested in being a part of our Alumni Spotlight, or would like to nominate someone, please reach out to our Director of Alumni Relations Bill Weaver.

This week's Alumni Spotlight highlights Corey Regovich (Class of 2014) who currently is a Manufacturing Supervisor at Swagelok.

Why do you support Lake Catholic?

The Lake Catholic community and the values I learned throughout my Catholic education have helped guide me through life. There is such a strong family atmosphere and I still have countless good friends I’ve known for more than 14 years now. Having opportunities to give to the next generation and strengthen the community is the least I can do to give back. 

What specific areas or missions are you drawn to at Lake Catholic?

I am definitely still drawn to the sports at Lake Catholic, having been a two-sport athlete myself. It is fun to watch the teams over the years. 

What do you wish others knew about Lake Catholic?

Lake Catholic is so much more than just a high school. People say it often, but Lake really is a family built upon Catholic values. Everyone is always there to help serve when asked and so willing to offer their support. 

What is your favorite memory of Lake Catholic?

One of my favorite memories was beating NDCL in football during my senior year. We were down late in the game and drove down the entire field to score with seconds left on the clock. Instead of tying the game up, we went for two and scored to win the game. In that moment, it felt like the entire stadium rushed onto the field with excitement. 

What are you currently up to? What's new and exciting that you have going on now?

In July, Mary Kathryn Lillash (Class of 2015) and I got engaged before a family trip to Hawaii. We have been in full wedding planning mode for the last couple of months and are excited to have the bulk of it laid out for next fall. 

If you're interested in being a part of our Alumni Spotlight, or would like to nominate someone, please reach out to our Director of Alumni Relations Bill Weaver.

This week's Alumni Spotlight highlights Peggy Janos-Liuzzo (Class of 1984 ) who currently works for the Observer Newspapers.

Why do you support Lake Catholic?

I think Catholic education is so important in our world today. Young people today have so many voices clamoring for their attention. It helps to have a school with a Catholic community to keep you on track. I have always treasured my Catholic faith and am more in love with it now more than ever.

What do you wish others knew about Lake Catholic?

My husband and I both value Catholic education. It has brought us to where we are today. Lake Catholic provided me with a solid education and great friends!  

What is your favorite memory of Lake Catholic?

I loved attending the football games, Homecoming, and Prom. I loved the carnation sales! I loved hanging out with friends.     

What are you currently up to? What's new and exciting that you have going on now?

After graduating from Lake Catholic, I went to John Carroll, majored in Marketing, and met my husband Tom Liuzzo. He was in Army ROTC. We got engaged senior year, and he became a Second Lieutenant in the Army upon graduation from John Carroll in 1988. Our first tour was in Germany. He was stationed near Frankfurt. I worked a few jobs overseas for the US Government. We had many more travels stateside. My son, Tommy was born in 2000. Since having him, we have been busy being involved in the Catholic schools he attended here in Virginia. We have lived in Woodbridge, VA since 2003. Tommy received an appointment to West Point Military Academy and is now stationed at Fort Stewart, GA as a First Lieutenant in the US Army. (So proud of him!) He is engaged to another classmate from West Point Class of 2022, Amanda. My husband is retired from the Army and works at the Pentagon. I am working for a local newspaper selling advertising, taking pictures, and writing stories...kind of doing it all. I really enjoy learning about my community! I am also very active with my parish at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church here in Woodbridge, VA. I am a lector and was also involved in teaching Faith Formation to Kindergarten children. I was also part of the choir and enjoyed cantoring. As Christians, we are all called to evangelize. I love growing in my faith!

If you're interested in being a part of our Alumni Spotlight, or would like to nominate someone, please reach out to our Director of Alumni Relations Bill Weaver.

2024 Homecoming Court Named

The 2024 Homecoming Court was announced earlier today after being voted on by the Class of 2025. 

Congratulations to the five girls who were nominated for Homecoming Queen - Megan Joy, Bella Leffel, Julia Oster, Holly Suponcic, and Izzy Trem. 

Congratulations to the five boys who were nominated for Homecoming King - Jayson Cummings, Luke Joy, Cross Nimmo, Ace Peterlin, and Trey Siepka.

The nominees will give speeches to the rest of their senior class, as well as the juniors and sophomores on Friday, October 4, with the winners announced later that day. The Homecoming Dance will be two days later, on Sunday, October 6th.

Christ Child Awards 13 Students with Scholarships

Thirteen Lake Catholic students were honored and awarded scholarships earlier this week by the Christ Child Society of the Western Reserve. 

The award ceremony was held at St. John Vianney, followed by Fr. Tom Johns presiding over a mass for the students, their families, and the Christ Child Society. Fr. Johns reminded the scholarship winners, “Whenever something good is done to you, pay it forward. Find a way to do something good for others.”

Congratulations to those receiving the scholarships for the 2024-25 school year are Kyle Boyd (Sr.), Caden Boyes (Sr.), Carson Gilbert (Sr.), Megan Joy (Sr.), Luke Joy (Sr.), Jimmy Meden (Sr.), Frannie Webber (Sr.), Angelina Capra (Jr.), Kaelyn Nemeth (Jr.), Kiera Nemeth (Jr.), Brayden Mann (Jr.) Cameron Crews (So.), and Robert Vidmar (So.).

Honors Chemistry Students Receive Class Award

Students in Mrs. Deighan’s Honors Chemistry who earned the highest score in the class on the first unit test were each awarded a "beaker of knowledge" with a green ribbon to celebrate their achievement.

Congratulations to Tyler Hribar, Marty Loncar, and Owen Pesek

Students Enjoy Sunday Morning with Grandparents

Lake Catholic celebrated National Grandparents Day on Sunday, September 8. More than 100 students brought their grandparents to the 10:30a mass at St. John Vianney and then came over to school for breakfast, shopping in the Spirit Store, and tours of the building. 

A nice time was had by all, as multiple generations of Cougars were in attendance for this special event.

Faculty and Staff Celebrate Re-Opening of the Lounge

The redesign and renovation project of the faculty and staff lounge is nearly complete. The faculty and staff will celebrate with a small grand re-opening reception next Friday after school.

The space, which has two sides divided by the newly furnished kitchen area, features new carpet, furniture, and amenities.

One side of the lounge has new workspace areas for the faculty to use throughout the day, while the other side has several seating areas with tables for everyone to gather for breakfast and lunch. A new state-of-the-art coffee and espresso machine is the main feature of the break side of the lounge. 

“This is the best thing that we’ve gotten since I started working here,” said Physical Education & Health Department Chair Marty Gibbons about the new coffee machine. 

Once fully completed, the lounge will also have an ice machine and be stocked daily with assorted breakfast items.

This week's Alumni Spotlight highlights Sean Fee (Class of 2012) who is the Director of Mental Performance at The Golf Room.

Why do you support Lake Catholic?

Lake Catholic was such an incredible experience for me as a student-athlete. My time as a wrestler at LC was an invaluable experience for me that I constantly pull from in my daily life. I also felt that along with being a part of a wrestling team with an incredible family atmosphere, I was able to be myself and learn about other interests that helped make me a more well-rounded human being as well.

What specific areas or missions are you drawn to at Lake Catholic?

Since my time as a student-athlete at LC taught me so much about life, it has instilled a passion for me to help others along their athletic journey. Because of that, I love following all the sports teams at LC and am always rooting for their success all while knowing no matter what, they are learning so much from their experience and from their coaches that will help them in life down the road. Sports truly are so much more than just a game!

What do you wish others knew about Lake Catholic?

The family atmosphere no matter your passions or interests. Everyone has each others back and celebrates their differences instead of only spending time around people with similar interests.

What is your favorite memory of Lake Catholic?

I don't think I could pick one favorite memory, but the friends I made during my time at LC mean more to me than I could ever describe, so just looping in all of the memories I made and continue to make with them until this day.

What are you currently up to? What's new and exciting that you have going on now?

I work with athletes on an individual and team level to help turn their mental struggles into strengths. My purpose is to build peak performance from the ground up while giving athletes the mental tools to also help them enjoy the process more along the way. I also host The WellSport Podcast where I've interviewed Olympians, National Champions, Michael Jordan & Kobe Bryant's Mental Coach, Sport Psychologists, PGA Golf Coaches, Dietitians and more!

If you're interested in being a part of our Alumni Spotlight, or would like to nominate someone, please reach out to our Director of Alumni Relations Bill Weaver.

Welcome back to Lake Catholic! Welcome back to The Paw! The summer is over, and we've kicked off the 2024-25 school year!

We are excited to welcome the Class of 2028, which will be our largest current class in the school, along with 19 transfer students, and six international students from Spain and Brazil.

The Class of 2025 began a new tradition as the seniors were allowed to purchase and paint a personalized parking spot in the school's parking lot. 

The entire school celebrated the first all-school Mass yesterday, presided by Lake Catholic Chaplain Fr. Joshua Trefney. During the mass, two students and a staff member were commissioned as Eucharistic Ministers and Fr. Joshua said a special prayer over our senior Spiritual Life leaders.

We welcomed 13 new faculty and staff members to our community.

• Kevin Bergdorf, World Languages teacher
• Terry Clark, Visual Arts teacher
• Tess Connolly-Alcantara ('16), Student Services and Volleyball Coach
• Joe Costello, Theology teacher, was hired full-time after serving as a long-term substitute last year
• Chris Deighan, Science teacher, was hired full-time after serving as a tutor last year
• Cari Foster, Director of Faith & Formation
• Marty Hyland, English teacher
• Tammy Konte ('86), Administrative Assistant
• Gavin Lacher, Math teacher
• Bob Moffett ('84), Director of Technology Services
• Luci Pattison, Math teacher
• Kyle Shockey, Social Studies teacher
• Denise Timms - Attendance Secretary & Registrar

We've updated the curriculum with a few new class offerings, including but not limited to:

• Food and Nutrition
• Motogo (where students take apart and rebuild parts of a motorcycle)
• Yearbook
• Coaching
• Mental and Behavioral Health

Lastly, many facility enhancements have taken place over the past few months, and we'd love for you to come back to Lake Catholic and see what we've been up to!

• The chapel received several upgrades - a new carpet was laid, the lighting was improved, a new sound system was brought in, and a grand piano was donated.
• The teacher's lounge was modernized with new carpet, furniture, and appliances. The area will now feature daily breakfast and snack items.
• New tables, chairs, and study spaces were brought into some classrooms (we'll phase in more classrooms over the coming years), and the vivarium.
• New wayfinding signage has been hung throughout the school, replacing the vinyl signs that hung from the ceiling.

We're looking forward to a great year. We would love for you to stop by and see all the wonderful things happening at Lake Catholic and thank you for your continued support.

This week's Alumni Spotlight highlights Tammy Konte (Class of 1986) who is the Administrative Assistant to the President and Advancement at Lake Catholic.

Why do you support Lake Catholic?

Lake Catholic is not only my alma mater but also my Catholic community of family and friends. We are all connected in faith and committed to the importance of a Catholic education. I strongly support the mission and the spirit of Lake Catholic High School.

What specific areas or missions are you drawn to at Lake Catholic?

Honestly, every area appeals to me! I love sports! I love the music of the marching band! I especially love the importance of our Catholic faith in every aspect of the day-to-day activities at the school!

What do you wish others knew about Lake Catholic?

Everyone at Lake Catholic is strongly committed to the success of the students every step of the way!

What is your favorite memory of Lake Catholic?

I have so many wonderful memories at Lake Catholic I'm not sure I can pick just one favorite memory! The friendships, the football games, the traditions, the school spirit, the school dances! The 80's was a great time to be in high school!

Why did you choose Lake Catholic for your children?

My husband, Tony ('88), and I both went to Lake Catholic. It's where our story begins! We always knew that our daughter, Kasey ('16), would also go to Lake Catholic. We wanted her to have the same exceptional education and experience as we had in high school.

What are you currently up to? What's new and exciting that you have going on now?

After 35 years at Lakeland Community College, I decided it was time for a career change! I'm excited to be at Lake Catholic High School in the Administration Office! Everyone is so nice and welcoming!

If you're interested in being a part of our Alumni Spotlight, or would like to nominate someone, please reach out to our Director of Alumni Relations Bill Weaver.