From Your Alumni Director

Greetings, BCHS Alums!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season and you are staying warm in these crazy cold temperatures.

Our Update Your Information contest ended on December 31, 2024, and I am happy to report that we received over 500 responses with updated alumni information! Thank you! The five winners selected at random are:

Maria Boese

Jeff Hiatt

Emily Jorgenson

Phyllis Robare Darlin

Maggie Ward

You will receive your Amazon gift card in the mail shortly. Thank you again to everyone for participating.

We are thrilled to announce that planning is well underway for Chatard-a-Bration 2025 - Derby Day, and we couldn't be more excited to invite you to this highly anticipated event! Mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate with fellow alumni, parents, and supporters of the Bishop Chatard community as we come together for an evening of fun, camaraderie, and unforgettable memories. From delicious food and lively entertainment to opportunities to connect with friends old and new, this is an event you won’t want to miss. 

Stay warm, 

Chatard-a-Bration - February 22

Chatard-a-Bration, Bishop Chatard's second-largest fundraiser, returns this February in support of our Annual Fund! This year's theme, Derby Day, promises an exciting evening filled with live music by the Jai Baker Trio, great fellowship, exceptional auction experiences, and delicious Southern-inspired fare.

Our Annual Fund provides tuition assistance to over half our students, and helps to more justly compensate our teachers. Last year Chatard-a-Bration raised $395,000, and with your support we hope to race past that goal!

Help us get to the winners circle by purchasing a table, becoming a sponsor, or being the highest bidder on hundreds of exciting and creative auction items! Click here to learn how!

BCHS Alumni Basketball League

The BCHS Alumni Basketball league started this month and runs through March. Visit the webpage to learn more. Reach out to Commissioner Chris Tarpey '11, at Chrisvtarpey@gmail.com for more information on joining the league or forming a team.

Nick Schellinger '01

Congratulations to Nick Schellinger '01 on being named the American Heart Association’s 2024 Leader of Impact for the state of Indiana, and earning the distinction of national runner-up!



In just seven weeks, Nick raised an incredible $250,000 for the campaign—nearly three times the previous record set by an Indiana nominee, and one of only three instances in the campaign's history where an individual has raised six figures. Nick’s dedication to this cause is deeply personal, as he experienced a stroke in 2023, inspiring him to drive meaningful change and make a lasting impact in the fight against heart disease and stroke. Congratulations, Nick, on this well-deserved honor and your remarkable achievements!

Michael Hudson '87

With the exceptional leadership skills he cultivated at Bishop Chatard High School, Michael Hudson '87 has been honored with the prestigious Augustus Witherspoon Award.



This award recognizes Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity members who demonstrate outstanding leadership, fraternity community service, and mentoring within the Georgia District for 2024. Additionally, Michael achieved another milestone as the first recipient of the 2025 Tau Gamma Lambda Chapter's Brother of the Year award. What an accomplishment!

Daniel Bowes '12

After graduating from Wabash College in 2016 and earning a Master’s in Psychology from Northwestern University in 2018, Daniel embarked on a promising career as a mental health therapist. While he found fulfillment in helping others, he felt called to pursue a deeper, more personal challenge.

In May 2023, Daniel made the bold decision to leave his job and dedicate himself to preparing for the Pacific Crest Trail—a grueling 2,650-mile journey stretching from Mexico to Canada. This is no ordinary hike; it’s a test of endurance and determination, with only 14% of participants completing the trek. Daniel began his journey on May 7 and triumphantly finished in late September. Truly a remarkable feat!

Charley Szydlyk '23

Charley Szydlyk ’23 recently achieved the incredible honor of earning a semi-finalist position in the world’s largest collegiate photojournalism competition, the College Photographer of the Year (CPOY). Each year, more than 600 students from over 160 colleges and universities across 50 countries compete in this prestigious event.

Charley is a student at Ohio University. Her winning photo is above. Congratulations to Charley on this outstanding accomplishment!

Isabelle '20 & Jacob '17 deCastro

Siblings Isabelle and Jacob deCastro are a true powerhouse, leaving an impressive legacy during their time at Indiana University and continuing to thrive in their professional careers.

Jacob now serves as the Associate Director of Communications at Transportation Alternatives, while Isabelle recently accepted a prestigious position at the White House in the Office of Personnel. After securing a highly competitive internship there, Isabelle was offered a coveted role following her graduation. Their impressive achievements continue to inspire—congratulations to both!

Kamilla Benko '08



Working in publishing since 2012, Kamilla Benko '08 has contributed to beloved children's books like Pinkalicious, Pete the Cat, and Fancy Nancy. Inspired by the authors she edited, Kamilla began writing her own stories, debuting with The Unicorn Quest, a middle-grade fantasy series about sisters in a land of unicorns, followed by two sequels. She has most recently worked with Disney’s Frozen II filmmakers to create Frozen II: Forest of Shadows, a novel bridging the two blockbuster films. Kamilla’s next series, The Unicorn Legacy, begins in February 2024 with the release of Tangled Magic.

Class of 1965

The Class of 1965 gathers for lunch once a month in Indianapolis. Please be on the lookout for details about a larger gathering that will take place this fall to celebrate your 60th reunion!

Do you have a special memory from your time at BCHS to share? Email Deanna Murphy at dmurphy@bishopchatard.org. We would love to hear from you!

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