Alumni

Soundings

Newsletter


October 25, 2024

Alumni Faculty/Staff Spotlight

We are excited to feature Phil DePauw '88, in this issue of the Alumni Soundings!


Before joining the Saint Joseph High School community, Phil spent his grade school years at Christ the Kingl. After graduating from Saint Joe, he attended the University of Notre Dame. His life has been deeply intertwined along US 31, from those formative school years through his time working in the trades—painting and masonry—before finally pursuing his passion for education. He took night classes at IUSB to earn his teaching certificate, completing his student teaching at Washington High School and eventually joining the Saint Joe family in the fall of 2000 as an English teacher and Girls JV Soccer coach.


Throughout his student days at Saint Joe, he had the privilege of learning from incredible educators, but Mrs. Jane Syburg and Fr. Michael Sullivan especially influenced his journey. Mrs. Syburg, with her boundless passion for literature, inspired him to grow as a writer, while Fr. Sullivan, his Latin teacher for three years, helped him fall in love with language and history. Fr. Sullivan's quirky classroom antics, like standing on his head, will forever remain a fond memory!


Once he became a teacher, he was blessed to be mentored by the legendary Tom Gerencher, whose wisdom and excellence continue to inspire him. He carries a shell casing from the 21-gun salute at his funeral on his keychain as a daily reminder of the teacher he strives to be. He also spent 15 years alongside hall-of-fame coach Johan Kuitse on the soccer field, where he not only deepened his knowledge of the game but also witnessed his mastery in guiding students to stretch beyond their limits. Collaborating with Julie Chismar on the Fed Challenge and Euro Challenge has also been an enriching experience, as her passion and dedication continue to inspire him and our students to engage deeply with the real-world relevance of economics.


It has been incredibly special to share his Saint Joe journey with his family. He met his wife, Tricia here, and his heart soared when she recently rejoined the faculty. Their eldest daughter graduated from Saint Joe, and they currently have two daughters—a sophomore and a senior—following in her footsteps. Saint Joe has truly helped forge his love for them, and he is beyond proud to witness their growth here.


As he reflects on 25 years at Saint Joe, countless memories come to mind—from the thrill of victory on the field, to the joy of watching students accomplish academic milestones like advancing to national competitions or earning their dream college acceptance. The class of 2025 holds special significance for him, not only as a milestone in his career, but because his daughter is among the graduates. As a father of three girls, he is deeply grateful to have played a role in their development, and it's been an incredible privilege to guide and watch students achieve their own dreams.


To his students, always remember: "Future you" is counting on "present you." Put in the effort today, work hard, and the future will be even brighter."

Voting is a cherished right of all American citizens. It is the single way most Americans participate directly in our democracy. This right has been safeguarded by our Congress and our courts and paid for in sacrifice by our armed services. Please take the time to study the candidates and issues before voting in the upcoming general election on Tuesday, November 5.


Class of 1954 Honored at Mass

Pictured from left to right: David Pairitz '54, Kay Raab Anderson '54, Suzanne Lipetska Cierzniak '54, Judie Towner Miller '54

Members of the first graduating class from Saint Joseph's High School, the Class of 1954, were honored guests at the October 15 All-School Mass. Four classmates were in attendance: Suzanne Lipetska Cierzniak, Judie Towner Miller, Kay Raab Anderson, and David Pairitz. They were recognized pre-Mass as a group and post-Mass individually and each received a Saint Joe gift bag. Our guests were treated to lunch in the Leighton-Oare Learning Center after the Mass. Saint Joe was very happy to welcome them 70 years after their graduation.

60th Anniversary of 1964 Saint Joe Football State Championship

This fall marks the 60th anniversary of the 1964 Saint Joe State Football Championship. The '64 squad compiled a record of 9-0-1 with a tie with South Bend Washington the only blemish on their record. The team was awarded the State Championship by a vote of U.P.I. sportswriters as there was no IHSAA State Tournament series at the time. The championship was the first State Championship in school history and set the standard for the future success of Saint Joe Athletics.

Joe Rulli '83 Produces Stage Play, Accidental Election of an Anarchist


The production of Accidental Election of an Anarchist took place October 17-20 at the Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago. This political satire explored a world where the rich and powerful exploit the poor and weak, with plenty of humor and sharp commentary on the state of our leadership today. Born out of frustration with the 2016 election, the play used satire to critique the ongoing circus of political discourse.

10% of ticket sales supported Storycatchers Theatre, a writing program for youth in Cook County Juvenile Detention, showing that storytelling can still make a difference!

Kristin Kommers Czarnecki '87 Releases New Book


Kristin Kommers Czarnecki '87, has a new book out, Encounters with Inscriptions. In the book, she writes about the books inscribed and given to her by her parents over the years. It's available at Amazon, Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, etc. Her book will be proudly displayed in the Leighton-Oare Learning Center, on the Alumni author shelf.

Learn More About the Book Here

Deacon Nicholas Monnin '17 Ordained to the Diaconate in Rome

Nicholas Monnin '17, a seminarian for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend who is studying for the priesthood at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, was ordained to the sacred order of the diaconate along with 14 of his classmates on Thursday, October 3, in St. Peter’s Basilica. Congratulations, Nicholas, on your ordination! We are so proud of you and continue to keep you in our prayers as you serve the Church and community.

Read More Here

Noah Hickey '19 Performs in The Play That Goes Wrong


Noah Hickey '19, recently performed in the South Bend Civic Theatre's production of The Play That Goes Wrong. Staged October 4-6 at Saint Mary's College, The Play That Goes Wrong has a farcical play-within-a-play structure, where the cast of the fictitious Cornley Polytech Drama Society is given a large amount of money to put on a 1920s murder mystery play in the style of Agatha Christie.

Read More Here

Save the Date - Alumni Memorial Mass

The next Alumni Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, November 7 at 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Saint Joseph at the school. Alumni who have passed away since the last Mass in June will be especially remembered. Those attending should park in the Notre Dame Avenue lot and enter Door A. Saint Joseph High School Chaplain Father David Smith, C.S.C. will be the celebrant. If you have any questions about this event, please contact Henry Chandler, Alumni Coordinator, at hchandler@saintjoehigh.com or 574-234-9204, ext. 5.

Upcoming Reunions


Classmates interested in organizing a class reunion may contact the Alumni Office at (574) 234-2904, ext. 5, or email Alumni Coordinator Henry Chandler at hchandler@saintjoehigh.com​​​​​​​ to get started.


Class of 1975 

50 Year Reunion – August 8, 2025

Contact and event details forthcoming.


Class of 1995

30 Year Reunion – July 25, 2025

Contact and event details forthcoming.


Class of 2000

25 Year Reunion – August 1, 2025

Contact and event details forthcoming.


Happenings Around Saint Joe

On October 9, we proudly unveiled our new Huskies mascot—the first real mascot in 25 years! Students, faculty, and staff had an amazing time taking photos with the mascot during lunches. It was a day filled with school spirit, laughter, and a ton of Huskies pride! 

Saint Joseph High School

Athletics Update

Boys Tennis Advances to IHSAA State Tournament

Boys Tennis won a competitive match 3 - 2 over Western High School (Russiaville, Indiana) in the Semi-State Finals at Culver Academies to advance to the IHSAA State Tournament. The Huskies were back on the court on Friday at North Central High School, taking on Columbus North High School in the State Tournament Quarterfinals, and won 3-2 to advance to the Semifinals against Brebeuf Jesuit. Unfortunately, their season came to an end on Saturday afternoon as they fell to Brebeuf Jesuit, 5-0. The match was very competitive; a great sign that the future is bright for Saint Joe Tennis.

Read More Saint Joe Athletics News Stories Here
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