Alumni Association

Forever True

August, 2025

WE ARE CHANGING OUR WAYS

Beginning in October, the alumni newsletter will become an alumni magazine.

Like the newsletter, it will still be delivered to you via email but will have the look of a magazine with turning pages, new art work, and a host of new material. The features you have always enjoyed - alumni news, class notes, flashback photos, featured alums and school news will still be there, as well as scholarship information and reunion news.

Because we are transitioning to a new format, which will take time, this will be the final edition of this newsletter in this format. There will be no September newsletter. The news from September along with a recap of the summer newsletter will appear in the October magazine.

We are excited for this new venture and hope that you will find it just as exciting when you see the October alumni magazine.

Dates to Remember

Teutonia Mannerchor Alumni Luncheon

The next alumni luncheon will be held on Tuesday, August, 26th. Doors open at 11:00 and lunch is served at noon. Call Jim Eberz ('64) at 412-445-4446 or Don Gruber ('71) at 412-874-2906 if you are coming.

The cost of the luncheon for 2025 is $22. That's $20 for the luncheon and $2 for the 50/50 raffle. Coffee and soft drinks are included in the cost; beer is extra.

July's luncheon was cancelled at the last minute by the Teutonia Mannerchor staff. We sent out an email as soon as we were notified. Hopefully, no one missed the email and showed up for the luncheon.

The Golf Outing

Alumni Memory Time

Below is a picture of the corner store near North Catholic when it was on Troy Hill. It was known by many different names over the years. We are asking alums to share their corner store memory.

If these walls could talk! Good times, good friends, crazy stories! What's yours?

Send us your corner store memory. We will print them in the August newsletter.

We will need all memories by August 28th. So send them here.

if you would like to be one of the alumni who shares their story, you can let us know

here.

There’s a very simple and effective way you can help students at North Catholic by using the money you’re already paying to the state in taxes.

Chris Stofko (NC ’91) breaks down how the EITC program works, and why this can truly benefit our North Catholic families.

Click HERE to read Chris Stofko's letter

Charles Hayes from the Class of 1971 is in need of a kidney. Please keep him in your prayers. Click here to read his letter asking for help in finding a living donor. 

MARIANIST WOMEN'S MINISTRY- Prayer Committee

The Marianist Women's Ministry would like to offer alumni and the entire North Catholic community a chance to pray for you and your intentions. The MWM gathers weekly to pray the rosary. Please click this link if you have a prayer request. While they would love to have a first name for each prayer request to make the prayers more personal, it's completely understood if you wish to keep them anonymous.

Flashback Photo

Last Month's Flashback

This picture was from the 2000 yearbook. It's a picture from the Trojan Triumph. That's Amy Miller wearing the boxing gloves of Manny Pacquiao. The gloves were autographed and auctioned off at the school's biggest fundraiser.

Shannon Zeis Wishart ('01) identified Amy, and Rachel Scheid Sedmak ('00) said,"I recognize the flashback photo! That is Amy Miller '00, and I'm guessing she is modeling one of the auction items for the Trojan Triumph auction."

This Month's Flashback

What can you tell us about this month's flashback? What's the event and where is it taking place? Can you identify any of the people in the photo? Send us what you know or can guess about this photo.



Send your guesses to us by clicking here.

We will identify the flashback in the new alumni magazine in October.

The display case just inside the entrance to the school houses memorabilia from the school's history. There is also North Catholic apparel available.

You can check out the NC gear in the spirit shop by clicking here.

Valedictorian and Salutatorian Wall

North Catholic High School is proud to celebrate the achievements of all those who graduated at the top of their class.  The new display, just outside the Main Office, will feature the names of all valedictorians and salutatorians who graduated from North Catholic from 1943 until present day.  

To help us complete the display, we are in search of commencement programs and names for the following classes: 1943, 1946, 1950, and. 1952.  If you have a copy of a commencement program from those years, please contact Amber Morrison.

North Catholic High School is currently seeking a seasonal Bus Driver to support our school activities and athletics programs. This flexible position allows you to set your own hours each week and offers compensation either by trip or through a set stipend. A CDL is preferred, but we are happy to provide training for the right candidate. Applicants must provide proof of current clearances and background checks or be willing to obtain them. This is a great opportunity to be part of a supportive and spirited school community. For more information or to apply, please contact Mr. Ryan Parrish at rparrish@northcatholic.org.

Alumni Class Notes

Class of 1953

Bob Muth celebrates his 90th birthday with a tailgate party with morning walkers and dogs at North Park. Bob is sporting his Steeler logo.

Class of 1954

John Brungo had the best birthday gift: his family! Surrounded in love by his children, grandchildren and wife, including sons and NC grads Jeff (’82), Ron (’85) and Mark (’86).

Class of 1964

Rick Weber was interviewed for a PG article on the Vietnam War. You can read it here.

Class of 1965

Sal Marsico and his family are on their annual beach vacation.

Class of 1966

Jeff Witherel and his wife get ready for some whale watching. They're in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Class of 1968

Mike McElhone and his wife drove their corvette to Memphis to support St Jude's Hospital. There were 125 corvettes that made the drive. They raised $548,000 this year.

Class of 1970

Mike Lamb and his wife stand with son Joe ('12) and his bride at their wedding.

Class of 1973

Jerry Becker sent us this selfie with his brother Matt ('79) taken during their one day Grand Canyon 24 mile rim-to-rim hike.

Class of 1974

Kevin Quinn, his wife and daughters pose for a photo at the wedding reception of a friend.

Class of 1975

Terry Cronin sent us two photos from their family beach vacation. In the first he is with his sons, TJ ('02) Ryan ('04) and his grandson Brady who is the son of Kelli Cronin McConnell ('00). In the second photo, his wife Pam Baird Cronin ('75) joins him as they stand at the beach with their granddaughters.

Class of 1976

The class of 1976 had a mini-reunion planning the 50th Reunion (April/May 2026). In picture are classmates (right to left), Joan Westover(Baklarz), Rochelle Yakin(Albert), Patty Zahurak(Fox), Ken Limmer, Jim Sismour, Mike Sabol, Jeff Schwerer, Lenny Muckle, Jerry Rectenwald, Joe Geiger, Bob Sweeney. 

Class of 1978

John Donovan was appointed to the board of directors for US Steel

Class of 1979

It's Kennywood memories for Mike Kukawa and his family

Let's toast to the anniversary of Ellen Matschner Kline and her husband.

Class of 1981

Dale Mangold (right) connected with Aaron Russell ('83) during a recent visit to New York City.

Tom Leyland and his wife sit back and get ready for the Independance Day parade.

Class of 1982

Shari Brown Butler (in yellow) is part of an impromptu gathering at Brick and Barrel, a restaurant owned by classmate Jeff Brungo (in grey).

Class of 1983

Ed Ricci, grandson of former math teacher Walt Lease, is a prominent figure in this P-G article about marble champions.

Class of 1988

The Throttle Junkies with Bill McElwaine on guitar and Bill Leise on vocals (both class of 88) preformed at the mid ride stop on the 10th Annual Ryan’s Wings Bike Run benefiting addiction recovery.

Class of 1990

Dorothy Malone gets her smurf on as she gets set to watch the movie.

Class of 1992

Kristen Petitta-Frankovich celebrates at a bridal shower.

Class of 1994

Cassie Scott Shank and her daughter pose for a selfie before heading in to watch Caitlin Clark.

Raequel Fabio Behanna and her hubby looking good in this photo.

Amber Nicotra Morrison and her husband at sunset on the beach in Maui.

Class of 1995

Mike Quinn is with his family on visit to a Lake Michigan lighthouse. That's his dad on the right - class of 1965.

Class of 1998

Leigh Ann Sobehart Wojciechowski poses with her pet on All American Pet Photo Day.

Class of 1999

Christian Sprung and family enjoy the city view from Mt Washington.

Cody Walters and his daughter on a visit to Hollywood Studios in Florida

Class of 2001

Greg Hamilton and his boys enjoy a day at Sandcastle.

Class of 2002

It's a family reunion for Tara Pagone Boyer and her kids.

Nothing like a beach vacay for Annie Claffey and her family.

Michelle Novak and her girls enjoy their day at Disney.

Class of 2004

Scott Hopkinson and his daughter go fishing to celebrate her birthday.

Kelly Hont and her son pose for an end of the school year picture.

Class of 2005

Erik Hood and his wife pause during a mountain hike.

Class of 2006

Liz Rettger Buckley is ready for the challenges of Picklesburgh.

Class of 2007

Andy Dashner and his fiance pose for their engagement photo.

Bob Ferguson and his special lady snap a selfie during their hike.

Aaron Smetanka, wife Courtney Simon Smetanka and their kids enjoy a beach vacation before Aaron heads off to football camp.

Class of 2010

Tyler Feith and his wife enjoy the wedding reception of a friend.

Class of 2011

Here's a photo of Stacey Green and her family.

Class of 2012

She said yes!!!! Emily Opperman is engaged.

Amber Stark Peters and her husband await the first pitch at Mac Miller bobblehead night.

Class of 2013

Shawn Tunstall is with his wife Lynzi Mueller Tunstall and their kids before Shawn participates in the lineman rodeo.

Class of 2019

Congratulations to the Muth siblings. Veronica is working cybersecurity for Plante Moran, a large CPA firm.  Her sister Gracie (‘20) and brother Trevor (‘22) also work there and are going for their CPA.

If you know an alum who doesn't get the newsletter and would like to receive it, send us their email address, and we will add them to the distribution list.

Thanks to Al Young ('67), Bob Muth ('53), Jeff Witheral ('66), Mike McElhone ('68), Jerry Becker ('73), Kevin Colbert ('75), Paul Morris ('88), Terry Cronin ('75), Bob Colbert ('65), Shari Brown Butler ('82), Amber Nicotra Morrison ('94), Carmen DiGiacomo ('59), Joe Geiger, ('76) and Jim Eberz ('64) for sending information and pictures to us.

If you have news/photos you want to share with classmates, send them to alumni news.

ALL reunion updates will ALSO be available on the school's website, northcatholic.org or by clicking here!

Want to make sure you get the details for your class reunion?  

Update your contact information HERE!

Reunion News

NC Class of 1966

Planning is underway for a 60th class reunion possibly in 2026. Stay tuned for more details.

If you want a comprehensive resource organizing any reunion especially a 50th: 

           Go to YouTube on any browser

           Put “North Catholic Reunion Book” on Search bar.

Slides are shown on a 7 second interval automatically or you can scan forward using the scanning bar on the lower left, Bob Gierl can help and is available at robertcgierl@gmail.com.

NC Class of 1975

Under the direction of Medio Monti, plans are under way for the 50th class reunion. The first event is a tailgate party that will take place at the Old Firehouse near JC Stone Field on Friday, October 17th. Members of the football team will be recognized before the North Catholic-Avonworth game. The reunion will be held at North on Saturday, October 18th. More details to follow.

NC Class of 1976



Planning stages have begun for the Class of 1976 50-year reunion to be held next year. Details are still being worked out. If you have any questions or would like to help with the planning or tracking down classmates, please contact Joe Geiger at 412-364-2114 or joseph.w.geiger@verizon.net 

NC Class of 1980

Attention 1980 Graduates: A 45th year reunion is being scheduled for the weekend of October 4, 2025, at the new NC High school location. There will be more details to follow. 

NC Class of 1985

Save the Date! The Class of 1985 will hold their 40^th reunion on Saturday, November 1, 2025, in the evening at North Catholic High School in Cranberry Township. Details to follow. To get involved in the planning or find out more, contact Kim Hemke contact at khemke18@gmail.com or (412) 716-0508.

NC Class of 1986

Reunion plans are currently on hold due to a lack of response. Contact Jerry with questions or thoughts jsestric@aol.com.

NC Class of 1995

There are rumors afloat about the possibility of a 30th class reunion, but we have no details. If anyone has any clarification on this rumor, please let us know.

NC Class of 1999

There may be plans in the works for a 25 year reunion. We will share details when we hear more.

NC Class of 2015

The Class of 2015 will hold a 10-year reunion on August 31, 2025, at Industry Public House (4305 Butler Street, Pgh., PA 15201) Cost is $15 per adult for food buffet. (Venmo BBAXENDELL20/or Apple Pay). Please RSVP at 412-215-7036 by August 17th and include number of guests attending. Kids are welcome. Email any photos/videos/stories you want to share for a reunion video to brbaxendell@gmail.com Please put email headline as Class of 2015 Reunion. 

The following classes have reunions coming up: 2005-20 year, 1995-30 year. If your class is planning a reunion let us know. Amber Morrison, Director of Alumni and Development can provide class rosters and other services. Contact her for help.

From l to r: Dick Halleran, Mary Taggart-Snyder, Mike Conroy and Joe Blitzko on computer screen.

From l to r: Dick Halleran, Kennedy Brown, Mike Conroy and Joe Blitzko on computer screen.

From l to r: Dick Halleran, Evan Stanton, Mike Conroy and Joe Blitzko on computer screen.

Military Legacy Scholarship

North Catholic has a Military Legacy Scholarship in honor of all alumni who have served in our nation’s military forces. The goal is to provide a $1,000.00 scholarship annually. To date, over $30,000 has been raised to fund this annual scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually to the student provided certain benchmarks are met.

Every 4 years (or sooner) it is awarded to an incoming 9^th grade student. This year’s recipient is freshman Gunner Kopriva.

If you wish, you may make a contribution in someone's honor/memory. Donations can be made by sending checks payable to North Catholic, write "North Catholic Military Scholarship" in the memo, and mail to: 

North Catholic High School

1617 Route 228

Cranberry Township, PA 16066

ATTN: Development Office

A kiosk with the names of all alumni who have served in the military stands in the main hallway of the school. Thank you for your service.

Class of 1965 Legacy Scholarship

The Legacy Scholarship was set up as part of our 50th class reunion by Dan Wolovich and Wayne Young and has been under the direction of Bob Colbert and Walt Quinn for the past few years. As we prepare for out 60th reunion we are hoping to increase this amount twofold.



The scholarship has helped students with the ever increasing cost of Catholic education. When we were at North, almost all of the tuition was paid by our parishes (remember having to face your pastor as he reviewed your report card?) Now the cost of tuition has fallen completely on the parents. Tuition for the upcoming school year is $15,850.



In order to help parents provide the great education that we received all those years ago, we need more of our classmates to step up and help keep our legacy scholarship fund growing. No contribution is too small. Big Shout Out to classmates, JOE MCKELVEY and JOHN IURLANO for their recent contributions. Joe and Bill Gubanic as well as many others continue to make contributions periodically through out the year. Other classmates have continued to make small monthly contributions by setting up a monthly credit card donation (read $10 to $25). The great thing about that is it's painless and adds to the scholarship fund which continues to grow. As of the of July 31st there is over $60,000 in our endowment. THERE WAS LEFT OVER MONEY FROM OUR REUNION - $1556 THAT WAS GIVEN TO THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND.

We are happy to announce that this year's Legacy Scholarships for this school year have been awarded to junior MADISON SERETTI. Madison is a highest honor roll student with a GPA of 4.25 and is the daughter of NC alum, Leslie Filip ('89) She is active in the school's drama department. She will be a senior next year. Senior DONNIE SCHUBERT graduated and will attend Slippery Rock University in the fall. Donnie made the highest honor roll with a 4.25 GPA. Madison will maintain her scholarship for next school year and We are proud to announce that WILLIAM WASKIEWICZ will be receiving our scholarship for the upcoming school year. Will is the son of Megan Larkin Waskiewicz ('86) and plays football and basketball. He is a junior carrying a 3.1 gpa.

As we celebrated our 60th class reunion, we are looking for classmates to step up and make a contribution to the scholarship fund.

That's our scholarship awardees along with Bob Colbert and Walt Quinn. Other scholarship trustees, Dan Wolovich, Wayne Young, Roy Kim, Tony DiPasquale, and Art Murphy were unable to be there for the photo.



Consider making a donation to the fund today!

You can send your check to the school with a notation that it's for the '65 scholarship fund; or If you would like to contribute a small monthly amount via your credit card, contact Amber Nicotra Morrison to set it up.



If you have questions about our efforts, feel free to contact Bob Colbert (bobcolbert@comcast.net) or Walt Quinn (quinn.walter@comcast.net)

Special Shoutout

John Mikulan is also donating 20% of the royalties from his book, The Bark of the Day to the fund.

Class of 1966 Scholarship

Thanks to all who continue to support the Class of ‘66 Scholarship Fund. To date, more than $162,000 has been raised. Andrew Scears (‘26), Dom Dixson (‘27), and Maddie Stillwagon (‘28) were selected to receive the scholarship by the committee which includes Tom Balestreire, Jim Beran, Bob Gierl, Paul Ladish, Tom Maier, and Hank Marziale. If you’d like to donate, you can do so online or by mailing a check made payable to: North Catholic High School. Please indicate Class of '66 Scholarship Fund in the memo. Payments can be mailed to North Catholic High School, Attn: Amber Morrison, 1617 Route 228, Cranberry Twp., PA 16066. For more information, contact Tom at 404.358.4854.

Kathy Monti Memorial Scholarship

Special thanks to all who donated to the Kathy Hickey Monti (’75) Award. Each year the award is presented to a young woman who possesses the same leadership qualities that Kathy demonstrated in her life.   Congratulations to recipients Ava Walker (4.1 GPA), Sara Loughry (4.0 GPA) and Joleen Condle (4.7 GPA).  If you'd like to donate, please click here or checks can be sent payable to North Catholic

with "Kathy Monti Scholarship Fund" in the Memo and mailed to North

Catholic High School, 1617 Route 228, Cranberry Township, PA 16066.

NC Class of 1953 Scholarship

Thank you to all who have donated to the North Catholic Class of 1953 Scholarship Fund.  More than $31,000 has been raised thus far. 

The class is pleased to announce this year’s freshman recipient is Angelo Vissari. Angelo is the third recipient of the scholarship. He joins sophomore Gianna Fuller who was selected last year to receive the four-year scholarship.  Good luck to both students as they begin this academic year.

The Fund was proposed by Reg Urschler in the Spring of 2021, and

an ad hoc committee was established, comprised of Reg, Charley Goetz, Bob Muth,

and Vince Brogan.

The ad hoc committee urges all classmates to make new or

continuing contributions to the Fund. Checks should be made payable to the

“NC Class of 1953 Scholarship Fund” and sent to the attention of: Amber

Morrison, North Catholic High School, 1617 Route 228, Cranberry

Township, Pa 16066.

How fortunate we were to have had the benefit of the education

afforded us. What a wonderful opportunity this provides to all of us and the

remaining families to "invest" in a "guaranteed return on that

investment" by providing a similar opportunity to current students'

futures.

Richard “Dick” Scherer (NC ’53) Scholarship 

To all ’53 grads and alumni who knew Dick Scherer (NC ’53) and participated with him in the many activities while at North, particularly football.

A scholarship in Dick’s name has been established. There is solid “start” to fulfill the $100,000 (goal) scholarship (supplemental funds) for a perpetual, self-sustaining effort to recognize Dick for his many contributions to our Alma Mater.

Dick was the type of student who epitomized the standards of those who wish to excel in scholastics, as well as athletics.  Details on criteria are still being established.  

Contributions can be made online here HERE or mailed to North Catholic, 1617 Route 228, Cranberry Township, PA 16066, ATTN: Development Office.

The North Catholic students attended the Steubenville Youth Conference at Franciscan University along with thousands of other teenagers from across the country. Through talks by dynamic Catholic speakers, small group discussions, and immersion in adoration and the sacraments, students learned more about their faith while drawing closer to God and each other.

N C Sports

Volleyball

Congratulations to Drew Palmer, an outside hitter, who was named 2nd team All State in Class 2A.

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Trojanette Basketball

Lauren Reitz got her first scholarship offer for Division 1 basketball. Read the article.

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Girls Tennis

Dorothy Dohanics ('05) has been hired as the new tennis coach.



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You can follow the teams and enjoy the sports podcasts by visiting the website northcatholicathletics.org

Planned Giving

Planned giving is a wonderful way to prepare for the day we depart this life and enter into God's kingdom. By planning ahead, you can provide opportunities to young men and women by supporting North Catholic. Planned giving allows us to help continue the work of Christ and pass on our traditions and Catholic Marianist values. Gifts can be specified in one's will as either a dollar amount of a stated percentage of one's estate. A growing number of alumni have taken this step and discovered a great sense of joy and satisfaction that they are helping families. If you are interested in finding out more, please click here or contact Amber Nicotra Morrison in the Development Office at amorrison@northcatholic.org.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  

Luke 12:34

SEND YOUR TAX DOLLARS TO NORTH CATHOLIC INSTEAD OF HARRISBURG!

Did you know that your state taxes could help support North Catholic? If you pay Pennsylvania state income tax, you can direct your tax dollars to scholarships for North Catholic students in need of financial aid. Through the Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC), Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) or Special Purpose Entity (SPE) programs, businesses and qualifying individuals can allocate a portion of their state taxes to a non-profit organization, as well earn a 90% deduction or credit to state income tax and receive a charitable contribution deduction on federal income tax. As a 501(c)(3) organization, North Catholic High School qualifies for these programs. Thank you to the following individuals and businesses for their support by donating to this special program:  

Anonymous Donors & Friends of North Catholic

Charles & Stephanie Baker

Cozza Enterprises

Eckles Construction Services, Inc.

David Eichenlaub

First National Bank 

Grant Street Group

Martin G Gregorio, MD and Associates

Maureen LallyGreen

Hand & Shoulder Center

Huntington National Bank

The Lynch Law Group, LLC

Joseph Machi

Maher Duessel

McKinney Properties

John Meyers

Nextier Bank

OC Reilly

Dan Onorato

Point Spring & Driveshaft Co.

John Sieckowski

Thomas & Pia Sylvester

Markus Weber

For more information:contact Amber Morrison,

Watch this short video to learn more how easy it really is!

Click here to watch the short video!

With over 15,000 graduates world-wide, we strive to spread as much news as we can! If you have personal news, accomplishments, ideas about topics, articles, stories or alumni profiles for our newsletter, please reach out to Newsletter Editor Walter Quinn, NC '65 at wquinn@northcatholic.org or share them with us at alumni@northcatholic.org.

 North Catholic High School

1617 Route 228 

Cranberry Township, PA 16066

412.321.4823

Thank you for your continued support!