Alumni

Soundings

Newsletter


September 27, 2024

We Want to Hear From You!

We are interested in how many Saint Joe graduates are presently employed in Catholic primary and secondary schools around the country. Please fill out the quick survey below. We hope to publish the results in our October edition!

Fill out survey here

Alumni Faculty/Staff Spotlight

We are excited to feature Katie Harshman (McNeill) '93, in this issue of the Alumni Soundings!


Memories from Saint Joe: Katie fondly remembers her years as a student at Saint Joe. She recalls the thrill of her freshman class winning the Golden Gopher spirit award, outshining the seniors! Her time on the soccer team under Coach Johan Kuitse, competing in multiple state championships, also stands out. While they never clinched the title, the journey itself was unforgettable. Beyond soccer, Katie was active in extracurriculars like the HOPE Club, Student Government, and occasionally tagging along on Ski Club trips. She also ran track for Coach Amato and has fond memories of extra algebra help sessions with Mrs. Derwent and geography class with Mr. Chandler. Katie still reminisces about the cafeteria treats from Miss Edna, and, of course, the creative art of dressing to beat the heat in the non-air-conditioned classrooms!


Nursing Journey: Katie’s decision to pursue nursing was inspired by her mother and older sister, both of whom are nurses. Seeing their dedication to healing and comforting others led her to follow a similar path. With her love for science, Katie has enjoyed a diverse and flexible nursing career for over 24 years. She cherishes how the profession has allowed her to work in various healthcare settings across different states while maintaining balance as a mom.


Education & Work Background: Katie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Kentucky in 1997 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Saint Mary's College in 2000. Her nursing career has taken her from Oregon Health Sciences University Hospital (OHSU) to Bethesda North Hospital in Cincinnati and back to South Bend at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center. Since 2018, Katie has shifted from hospital care to school nursing, starting at St. Joseph Grade School and now at Saint Joe, where she’s been since 2021.


Family & Community: Katie’s Saint Joe legacy runs deep. Not only is she one of six McNeill siblings who graduated from Saint Joe, but her husband Marty, Class of 1993, also comes from a Saint Joe family. Their legacy continues with two of their sons currently attending Saint Joe: Sam, a senior, and Joey, a junior. Their youngest, Teddy, is set to join the Saint Joe community in the fall of 2025.


A Day in the Life of the Saint Joe Infirmary: Every day in the Saint Joe Infirmary is unique. Katie assists an average of 30–40 students daily, supporting them with various health concerns, medications, and providing a listening ear. She helps students manage concussions, chronic illnesses, and post-surgical recoveries. Her role allows her to offer comfort and care, ensuring that students have a space to come when they need support.


What Katie Loves Most About Working at Saint Joe: For Katie, it’s all about the students and the Saint Joe tradition. She finds great joy in supporting students during their formative years, knowing the external pressures they face. Providing them with a safe space is a priority for her. Katie feels fortunate to remain connected to the Saint Joe family, not only as a proud alumna and parent but now also as a staff member.

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Register to Vote - Please remember to register to vote and then make your choices known on November 5th. The right to vote is the single way most Americans participate in our democracy so take this opportunity to exercise that right. 

Summer Reunion Fun

Class of 1964

Class of 1969

Class of 2004

Jerry Barca '24 Designs Cleats for Notre Dame Football

Jerry Barca '24, recently designed and painted all the cleats and shoes for Notre Dame Football’s “Cleats for a Cause” game against Miami University. The project totaled over 135 pair of shoes, including customized cleats for 12 players. All cleats and shoes were auctioned off to support five local non-profit organizations.

Read more here

Brynn Whitfield '04 Shines on the Real Housewives of New York


Brynn Whitfield '04, has made her mark on the entertainment world as a cast member of The Real Housewives of New York City. Known for her poise, quick wit, and sophisticated style, Brynn brings her Midwestern roots to the fast-paced lifestyle of New York City. Her journey from South Bend to one of the most iconic cities in the world reflects her resilience, ambition, and ability to navigate the complexities of modern life, all while staying true to her Saint Joe foundation.

1955 Class Ring Found - Help Us Find the Owner!


A 1955 class ring has been discovered, and we need your help to return it to its rightful owner. If you have any information or leads that could help us identify who it belongs to, please reach out to our Alumni Coordinator, Henry Chandler, at hchandler@saintjoehigh.com.

Help Wanted with Scrapbooks


The Alumni Office is seeking a volunteer to keep a scrapbook of Saint Joseph High School events and happenings for the 2024-2025 school year and possibly beyond. These scrapbooks have been diligently and beautifully produced by retired faculty member Mary Lou Derwent for a number of years and she is now seeking to retire from that responsibility. Please contact Alumni Coordinator Henry Chandler hchandler@saintjoehigh.com if you are interested in continuing this tradition or have questions.

Invitation to the Class of 1954

Members of the Class of 1954, Saint Joe's first graduating class, are invited as honored guests to the All-School Mass on Tuesday, October 15 at 10:00 a.m. in Alumni Gymnasium at the school. Lunch will be provided after Mass for class members and a guest. Please respond to Henry Chandler, Alumni Coordinator, at hchandler@saintjoehigh.com or via phone at 574-234-2904, ext. 5 if you plan to attend or have any questions. If you plan to attend, please inform him of any dietary restrictions as well. Attendees should park in the designated visitors spots in the Notre Dame Avenue lot and enter Door A. There is an elevator available for transport to the lower level Mass location.

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.

Happenings Around Saint Joe

This summer, five talented seniors from Saint Joe participated in the prestigious Summer Apprentice Program at Notre Dame's Raclin Murphy Museum of Art. Congratulations to Zyniaya Baez '25Caroline Kocovski '25Lucy Noem '25Lexie DePauw '25, and Cate Harrington '25 for being selected for this unique opportunity! These young artists explored the theme of the environment, showcasing their creativity through pieces featuring flowers, octopuses, mental states, and more. Their works are a blend of personal expression and artistic technique, with each piece offering a unique perspective on the topic.

Saint Joseph High School

Athletics Update

Girls Golf Wins Sectionals, First Time Since 2007

The 20th ranked Saint Joe Girls Golf team won the 2024 Sectionals at Knollwood on Friday, September 20 with a team score of 350; 2 strokes better than 2nd Place Penn High School. The Huskies were lead by Freshman Lucy Dunham as the top golfer on the day with a score of 79. Junior Marley Dunham scored a 87, Sophomore Reese Hull had a 91, Junior Bella Jeffrey scored a 93 and Junior Sydney Schmeltz had a 96. The team will play in Regionals on Saturday, September 28 at Sandy Pines Golf Club in DeMotte.

Read more Saint Joe Athletics news stories here
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If you or an alumnus you know is not receiving communications from Saint Joseph High School — we can fix that! We want to make sure everyone receives this monthly newsletter, Focus magazine, and any other news. Please contact alumni coordinator Henry Chandler to receive communications.


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