Alumni Spotlights, Casino Royale, Wizard of Oz

March 5, 2022 | Issue #23

Alumni Spotlight - Gigliotti '77, Hoover '08, Spaetzel '11

Margaret was one of a few female athletes at Elyria Catholic and their small group moved from sport to sport participating in tennis, volleyball, cheerleading, and eventually track and field. Margaret says her parents always told their children to "Try everything!" Margaret was a class officer for three years and was also involved in choir and drama.

Margaret attended the University of Dayton and earned her degree in elementary education with a certificate in special education. She eventually earned her Masters in teaching English as a Second or Other Language from St. Michael’s College in Vermont. She was teaching at a school in Columbus, OH when she received a flyer from Ohio State University where recruiters were looking for teachers to teach around the world. Margaret’s certification in special education was highly sought after and she was offered a position in Bogata, Colombia. Her mother, initially hesitant, encouraged her to take the position (as long as she had an out) because she feared Margaret would regret it otherwise. Since then, Margaret has been teaching all over the world including locations in Cali,Colombia, La Guajita, Colombia (a rural desert city), London, and Abu Dhabi. After teaching for 17 years in Doha, Qatar, Margaret started researching and planning her next adventure to open up a Bed & Breakfast. While exploring properties in Italy, she met her husband, Domenico. Together, they established La Rocca Mia House B&B in Abruzzo, Italy. Margaret was kind enough to donate a stay at her lovely B&B for several Elyria Catholic gala auctions. When COVID started to affect the travel and tourism industry, Margaret returned to teaching at the American Overseas School of Rome. She has been living and teaching in Rome for two years and travels to her B&B, due east of Rome, on the weekends. Margaret invites all Panthers to come for a visit to LaRocca Mia House for a highly personalized, but traditional and authentic, Italy experience. https://www.laroccamiahouse.com

David Hoover '08

In addition to being a decorated swimmer at Elyria Catholic High School, David Hoover ‘08 served as the senior class president, played soccer for two years, and performed in the production South Pacific under the direction of Nan Mahony. When asked what he remembered most about his EC experience, he said, “Definitely our school spirit! I loved being engulfed in the EC community and family. I followed all the sports teams. I do remember the pillars…Excellence, Compassion, Faith, Tradition, and Community. Do you still have those?” We do. David chose to pursue his passion for sports and sporting events when he graduated. He attended Niagara University earning a degree in Sport & Facility Management. He completed internships with the Niagara University Athletic Department, the Cleveland Browns, and the Greensboro Aquatic Center in North Carolina. David started his career in 2012 as an Event Coordinator at that Center, which is the largest indoor aquatic center in the country. He was promoted to Event Manager and in January of 2022 will become the Facility Director. David recently met swimmer Katie Susi ‘22 when she competed at the Speedo Junior Nationals at his facility. He was proud to find his old EC cap and present it to her. David says EC is a family thing as his parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins are all EC alumni. David is married with two daughters and tries to visit his EC family in Elyria once or twice a year.

David met up with Katie Susi '22 (see photo) in January at the Speedo Junior Nationals at his facility.

Nicole Spaetzel '11

Nicole Spaetzel graduated from Elyria Catholic in 2011 and now works as an Associate Attorney in New York City at the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell. Her interest in the law stemmed from the stories that her father, a police officer, would tell at the dinner table. Nicole says she learned from both Mrs. Heinrich and Mrs. Knox, English teachers at Elyria Catholic, how writing can be incredibly powerful, which helped her excel in undergrad, law school, and her career. While at Elyria Catholic, Nicole played soccer and basketball her freshman year, but then decided to leave sports to her friends and instead found her role as the statistician for the girls’ basketball team, eventually following the team to the state tournament’s Final Four. Nicole developed life-long friendships at Elyria Catholic, including many ladies on the basketball team, and remains close with them today.

While pursuing her undergraduate degree in political science at The Ohio State University, Nicole worked in the Ohio Senate Clerk’s Office, where she gained a first-hand understanding of the legislative process. Nicole earned several full-ride scholarship offers to law schools around the country, but she was not ready to give up her Buckeye football tickets, so she chose to stay at Ohio State for law school. Upon graduating from law school, Nicole spent one year serving as a judicial law clerk for a federal judge, where she helped conduct trials and hearings and draft court opinions. A mentor from law school pushed Nicole to apply to jobs in New York City, which is how she ended up working at

Sullivan & Cromwell, representing some of the world’s largest companies in lawsuits brought by private citizens or the United States government. Nicole also keeps an active pro bono practice at her firm. For example, Nicole represents persons at a county jail in Florida who have faced dangerous conditions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and inadequate measures taken by the jail staff to keep the detained persons safe and healthy while they await trial or release. Nicole has helped the detained persons secure appropriate personal protective equipment (like masks) and access to vaccine and booster shots.

Nicole loves living in New York City and tries to take advantage of all the city has to offer. In November, Nicole completed the New York City Marathon (pictured). Her cheering squad included her family and friends, including her boyfriend, Vince Scarpelli (Class of 2009). Despite her love of New York, Nicole says she has plans to return to the Cleveland area to be closer to family and friends.

Philanthropy & Engagement News

Game On! Class of 1985

The Class of 1985 has mobilized on its own to organize a Game On! Campaign challenge! Therese Kennedy, Stephanie Smith Golski, Michelle Hildebrandt Dolensky, and Al McKinney are leading this effort and trying to find and inspire 50 classmates to make a $100 gift to the Game On! Campaign to have a yard line named after the Class of 1985. This class includes members of the 1984 and 1985 Elyria Catholic State Football Championship Teams.

You can make your gift at www.elyriacatholic.com/gameon! GO PANTHERS!

In Loving Memory

Panthers Prowl with Pride

Cast & Crew on WOBL/WDLW

Please enjoy listening to the live interview of some of our senior cast and crew on WOBL/WDLW from Wed., March 8, 2022.

WOBL/ WDLW

Inside the Panther Classroom

Campus Ministry

25 Years of Tradition

Be sure to include one of the evening perforrmances this Lent. You will be moved by the spirit. Thank you to former cast and musicians who have blessed us with 25 Years of Tradition.

Click photo below for Lenten Message!