Panthers are Prowling with Pride

October 8, 2021 2021 | Issue #17

Justin Funkhouser '21 Prowls with Pride

Justin Funkhouser ‘21 testified before the Ohio Senate Health Committee on October 6, 2021 as a proponent for House Bill 37; the expansion of Kevin's Law passed in 2013 allowing a pharmacist to refill an expired prescription. Named after an Avon Lake young man, Kevin

Houdeshell, who passed away from not being able to get a prescription for his insulin from his doctor during the holiday season. The bill addresses the need for the emergency prescription to be written by the pharmacist if the doctor is not available and allows refills for life-saving medications. This bill requires that you still be given at no cost a three-month supply of life saving medicines like insulin, seizure medications, maintenance drugs, diabetic supplies, rescue inhalers, and heart medications.

"People are dying from rationing and sharing insulin because they cannot afford it," says Justin.

Justin shared the struggles he has faced since learning he was a type 1 diabetic at age ten and the financial hardship he now faces as a full-time college student attempting to manage the costs of insulin, syringes, blood glucometers, and testing strips coupled with high insurance out of pocket expenses. "People are dying from rationing and sharing insulin because they cannot afford it," says Justin. Justin is a representative of the The Be A Part of It Foundation and Justin's Rainbow Connection. BAPOI was originally founded to help children with medical issues be able to afford and attend summer camps and now provides a support network when patients are managing insurance issues associated with their medications, general education on managing specific diseases, and scholarship assistance to college students with medical needs. House Bill 37 passed the House of Representatives by a large majority of 93-3. Advocates of the bill are hoping to pass the senate in two weeks and have the bill signed into law on Nov 14, Dr. Frederick Banting's birthday. Dr. Banting is the scientist who created insulin and gave it to the world for free stating that a gift of life should not bear his name or cost.

Bishop Malesic celebrates Mass with EC Students on Founders' Day

Bishop Edward Malesic's Visit

NorthEast Ohio Catholic

e-newsletter highlights Bishop Malesic's visit to Elyria Catholic. Click the button below to read more.

NorthEast Ohio Catholic

32nd Annual Elyria Catholic Golf Classic

Thank you to the one-hundred and eight golfers, including over fifty alumni, that attended the 32nd Annual Golf Classic on October 2, 2021 at Valley of the Eagles in Elyria. The event was presented by JD Indoor Comfort and sponsored by the Class of 1957, Journey Home Restoration, The Alan O’Connor Family, Schlather Insurance Agency, Inc., Barnes Wendling CPAs, the family of and In Memory of Lawrence E. Frey, CommStar Credit Union, Luxury Heating Company, WeedPro, and nine other Greens and Hole sponsors. The event featured two betting holes, five hole challenges with prizes, and the opportunity to win $25,000 towards a vehicle sponsored by Nick Abraham Auto Mall. The event raised just shy of $10,000 for improvements to the stadium.

Class Reunions

Class of 1970 Reunion - August 7 and August 8

The Class of 1970 celebrated its 50th Reunion, a year later than planned, with a gathering at a private residence on August 7, mass at St. Mary and a picnic at Arrowhead Lake on August 8. The Class of 1970 collectively made a $1000 donation to the Scott Holland Scholarship Fund.

Class of 1971 Reunion - September 10 & September 11

The Class of 1971 celebrated their 50th Reunion in style at Elyria Catholic High School. The group met at the Panther Pavilion for the Friday night football game to watch the Panthers score a victory over Holy Name High School. The group returned to Elyria Catholic the following night to enjoy cocktails, appetizers, a tour of the new and the old at Elyria Catholic, and hours of catching up and socializing. The Class of 1971 is establishing a Class of 1971 Scholarship Fund to help EC students with financial need. You can make your donation by mailing a check payable to Elyria Catholic High School (mark Class of 1971 Scholarship in the memo line) to the Philanthropy & Engagement Office, Elyria Catholic High School, 725 Gulf Rd. Elyria, OH 44035.

Class of 1981 Reunion - September 10 & September 11

While the Class of 1971 was in the pavilion on September 10, the Class of 1981 took a tour of the school and then set up a spectacular tailgate for the Panthers vs. Holy Name game. The class moved to Grey Hawk Golf Club on Saturday night to catch up with classmates and enjoy live music. A basket raffle was held to benefit the Be A Part Of It Foundation.

Class of 2010 Reunion - September 17

It’s been a jam packed fall at EC with the Class of 2010 returning to celebrate its 11th Reunion (Belated 10th Reunion) at the Panthers vs. Rocky River game on September 17. Some members of the class toured the school before the game, some toured during the game, and some toured twice. This class also hosted a tailgate during the game. As the reunion was happening on Founders’ Day, the school’s 24-Hour Giving Day, the class pooled their resources to make a gift to the Panther Fund (formerly known as the Annual Fund) and helped to catapult Elyria Catholic over its goal for the evening!

Game On! Challenge

Game On!

The Latest Plays in our Game On! Challenge

There have been five more plays made in the Game On! Campaign to fund additional stadium improvements. The Grasso Family has moved the ball a yard. Frank and Donna, Frankie '19, Christopher '22 & Andrew '24 Krupka have collectively carried the ball one more yard. Shannon ‘15 & Kyle Brown & Family tossed the ball another yard and an anonymous donor has taken the field on the 47 yard line In Memory of John Lescher '90. That same donor is challenging the 1990 Panther Playoff Team to make a donation that he will match up to another $5000. Elyria Catholic needs to find 83 more donors to sponsor a yard line. If you are interested in becoming a Yard Line Sponsor for $5000, please contact President Annie Heidersbach at 440.230.8601 or heidersbach@elyriacatholic.com or visit Game ON!

EC Community Sets New Records in Giving!

During Founders’ Day on September 17, 2021 the broader Elyria Catholic community rallied to give a record-setting amount of gifts during the school’s 24-Hour Giving Day, surpassing the goal of $75,000, and gifting over $81,000 to the Panther Fund(formerly known as the Annual Fund) which benefits every student, every day, every way! Five donors provided matching challenge gifts totalling $30,000, including Steve Komives ‘65, Lana Durban Scott ‘90, Mr. and Mrs. Terrence Kenneally, and two anonymous alumni. Elyria Catholic is grateful for these matching gifts and the 170 donors from seven states and the United Kingdom who met the challenge!

Last school year, from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021, the Panther Fund reached $152,675, a record-setting year for the EC Community and a 32% increase over the prior year. This year, President Annie Heidersbach asks that you help us continue the momentum to provide our students with a distinctive Elyria Catholic experience. The goal for the 21-22 Panther Fund is $180,000. You can make your annual gift to the Elyria Catholic Panther Fund at www.elyriacatholic.com/give or mail your check payable to Elyria Catholic High School to the Philanthropy & Engagement Office, Elyria Catholic High School, 725 Gulf Rd., Elyria, OH 44035.

In Loving Memory

Dennis Kaminski '64

Jeanne McCoy Tucker '55

James McCrann '58

Please Nominate an Alum for one of our Alumni Awards

Alumni Awards

Every year after we announce our Alumni Award Winners, we often hear feedback from the EC Community about other deserving individuals that should be recognized as well. The award process starts with a nomination from someone. Will you be that someone? Please Prowl with Pride, promote positivity, and take a moment to nominate that special person you know that fits one of our award categories. Nominations for the 2022 awards will be accepted until February 1, 2022. Please make your nomination by clicking below:

Nominate HERE

Panther Prowlings

Share your News

We are currently assembling Alumni News for this fall's Panther Prowl. We want to hear about your upcoming reunions, accomplishments, job changes, marriages, and new little ones. Please send your stories with photos to by clicking below:

Panther Prowlings