Press Releases

Lehman Catholic High School will showcase the arts on Saturday, February 25, when the Music and Art Departments present an “Arts Gala.” The combined concert and art exhibit will be held in the Jerry Delong Gymnasium at the school.

The night will include a catered dinner and homemade desserts. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. with dinner served at 6:15 p.m. The musical performances will begin after everyone is served. Desserts will be available at intermission.

Cost for the evening including dinner, dessert and drink is $10 per person. The dinner includes entrée, potato, vegetable, and salad, and is being catered by the Spot Restaurant. Reservations for the evening can be made by sending an email to e.snyder@lehmancatholic.com or by calling the school (937-498-1161, ext.132). Payment for reservations can then be made at the door. Reservations must be made by Tuesday, February 21.

Performing as part of the concert will be vocal and instrumental soloists, duets, and small ensembles. In addition, the Lehman Concert Band, Cavalier and Concert Choirs, and The Limelighters Show Choir will also perform. The Concert Band will perform “Kentucky 1800,” “Sparks,” “River of Hope,” and a medley from Mary Poppins. The Limelighters will perform their competition show titled “Change a Heart, Change a World.” The combined Cavalier and Concert Choirs will perform “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel,” “Wings,” and “Amani.” A number of solos and ensembles to be performed received top ratings at the recent OMEA Solo and Ensemble Adjudicated Event in Greenville.

The art display will feature works from all of Lehman’s art classes. The show will include some outstanding portfolio works by students in the advanced Studio Art class.

Lehman faculty members involved in the “Arts Gala” are Music Department Chair Elaine Schweller-Snyder, Vocal Director Jacquelyn Jenkinson, and Art Department Chair Connie Grant. The Lehman Music Boosters who are coordinating the evening are led by Booster President Darla Cabe. For more information, contact Darla Cabe at cabeclan@woh.rr.com.

The Lehman Catholic High School show choir - The Limelighters - returned to the competition stage on Saturday, February 4th, at the Findlay Show Choir Invitational. The competition drew 12 show choirs, divided into three classes based on school size.

The Limelighters finished second runners-up in class C. Junior Millie Wildenhaus received the “Most Dynamic Performer” in Lehman’s choir.

The Limelighters 2012 competition show is titled “Change a Heart, Change a World.” That song is the opening selection in a show that also includes “Man in the Mirror,” “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “What a Wonderful World,” and “Proud.”

This year’s edition of The Limelighters has 19 singer-dancers, six combo members, and two crew members. The singer-dancers are seniors Natalie Davis, William Duritsch, and Dana Jenkins; juniors Sarah Cabe, Dan Davis, Michael Jacob, Ethan Jock, and Millie Wildenhaus; sophomores Gabe Berning, MaKenna Cabe, Julia Harrelson, Katie Heckman, Grace Jackson, Kristopher Lee, Abigail O’Connell, Meghan Safreed, Olivia Sehlhorst, and Elaina Snyder; and freshman Jake Watkins.

Combo members are senior Emily Pax, keyboards; junior Riley Pickrel, bass; sophomore Alia Whitney, drums; senior Logan Monnin and sophomore Millie Cartwright, trumpets; and sophomore Erik Rodenburgh, trombone. Junior Brad Kaeck and freshman Jared Seger are helping out as crew.

The choir is under the direction of Jacquelyn Jenkinson, a 2004 Lehman graduate and former member of The Limelighters. Two other alumni of the program are serving as choreographers of this year’s group: Chad Hewitt ’06 and Libby Galbreath ’08. The combo is director by Music Department Chair Elaine Schweller-Snyder.

The Limelighters’ next performance will be at the school’s Arts Gala Concert on February 25th. Their next competition is the Teays Valley Show Choir Invitational on March 10th. They will also perform at the Creative Spirit Arts Festival featuring Northern Area Catholic Schools on March 16th at Immaculate Conception Church in Dayton.

Last year, Lehman Catholic vocal music students offered “singing valentines”. They were such a tremendous hit that they are being offered again this year. Interested individuals can send a special greeting to their “valentine” and simultaneously support the Lehman Catholic Music Department. The Lehman Limelighters, the school’s top performing group, will be preparing and delivering the Singing Valentines.

Again this year, the Limelighters are pre-recording 20-second sound bites of three different songs. The customer chooses one of the three songs and a member of the Limelighters will call the recipient and play the pre-recorded song. The songs being prepared and recorded by the group this year are “You Are My Sunshine”, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”

The cost is $3 for the first valentine, and $2 each for any additional calls. Customers can include a personal message for the caller to include at the time the call is made.

The Limelighters are taking orders from now through February 10th. Singing Valentines will be “delivered” on February 13 and 14.

“Our students really enjoyed this project last year”, said Jacque Jenkinson, the school’s new vocal director. “I am looking forward to making the recordings this week and having the students make the calls,” said Jenkinson. “For less money than musical cards available in retail outlets, the Limelighters can provide a personal touch when we call your special someone.”

If you are interested in sending a Singing Valentine, order forms are available in the main office at Lehman Catholic. The office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on school days. Information and orders can also be placed by contacting Music Department Chair Elaine Schweller-Snyder at Lehman Catholic High School either by phone 498-1161 (extension 132) or e-mail (e.snyder@lehmancatolic.com).

Lehman Catholic High School students will be joining hundreds of thousands of marchers from across the United States on Monday, January 23rd, for the annual Right to Life March in Washington D.C. The January event coincides with the anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, and is one of the annual activities of Lehman Pro-Lifeguards. The Pro-Lifeguards is a group of Lehman students who actively work on various pro-life issues.

Since the controversial Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal, it is estimated that more than 28 million abortions have been performed in the United States. “That number is more than 10 times the number of American causalities in all the wars ever fought,” Lehman Pro-Lifeguard President Colleen Kinninger stated. Since the decision was rendered, members of the pro-life movement have gathered every January in a peaceful protest of the decision.

Lehman students will travel by bus to the nation’s capital accompanied by Father Dan Hess, school chaplain, and several parent chaperones. School officials note that the event is a pilgrimage, not a field trip or sightseeing junket.

“The students are reminded that they are there to be advocates for the unborn,” Father Hess stated. “Part of the experience is realizing that, in a democracy, political debate over sensitive issues is allowed and all voices have the right to be heard. The trip also provides the students the opportunity to see that they are not alone in their beliefs and there are many people who embrace the pro-life position across the nation,” Father Hess said.

On Sunday evening, fifty Lehman students will join students from the Teens for Truth from Botkins to attend a candlelight vigil at the Women’s Center in Kettering. The Women’s Center is the closest facility where abortions are performed. Following the candlelight vigil, the students and their chaperones will board busses for the trip to Washington D.C. They are scheduled to return home Tuesday morning around 4:00 a.m.

“I have participated in the March for Life for many years,” Father Hess said. “This will be the first time that I will be attending the event with Lehman students. It is great to see so much student interest in this pilgrimage. It is one sign of the students’ social awareness and their desire to be part of the solution to a terrible problem,” Father Hess noted.

When they arrive in Washington, the group will attend a Catholic Youth Rally and Mass in the morning. They will then join the large crowd to hear speeches and to march down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Supreme Court in support of life.

“It’s cool to see hundreds of thousands of people fighting for the same, good cause,” said senior Emily Pax, first vice president of the Lehman Pro-Lifeguards. In addition to Kinninger and Pax, other officers include William Duritsch, second vice president; David Freytag, secretary; and Logan Monnin, treasurer.

Lehman Catholic High School Chaplain Reverend Daniel Hess has received the results of the 2011 Assessment of Catechesis Religious Education (ACRE). The test, administered to students attending Catholic schools and parish religious education programs across the country, is required for students attending Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

The ACRE assessment is designed to measure the effectiveness of Catholic high school religious education programs. Because of the cost, Lehman administered the test periodically until 2004, when the annual administration of the test was mandated. The assessment is administered to all students in both the ninth and twelfth grades.

Lehman Catholic students continue to score well above national and Archdiocesan averages in all areas tested, including knowledge of Catholic faith literacy, liturgy and sacraments, personal morality, Catholic social teaching, Church history, scripture, and prayer. Lehman students scored particularly high in their knowledge of Church teachings about God, the Church, Liturgy and Sacraments. Lehman students also score high in their knowledge of The Catechism of the Catholic Church.

The ACRE assessment also compiles results of students’ affective responses to questions that relate to their relationship with Jesus, images of God, Catholic identity, morality, relationships, and perceptions about their religious education. Teachers can then use these results when discussing such topics as honesty, moral decision-making, and prayer life.

Students’ societal concerns are also tabulated. The statements on the assessment measure such concerns as sexual harassment, racism, personal safety, fighting, eating disorders, cheating, dishonesty, use of profane language, alcohol abuse, drug use, date rape and respect for diversity. This tabulation also allows teachers to engage their students in a classroom setting and help them identify possible solutions to their concerns.

“For some years, Lehman students have scored above national and Archdiocesan averages,” Father Hess stated. “The credit really belongs to our families, the primary teachers of their children, who instill the values the school reinforces in our students. According to the information gathered from this assessment, a high majority of our families pray together, eat meals together, and attend church regularly. Those are all values that we can only reinforce,” Hess said.

Lehman High School Foundation President Walt Bennett has announced that Edward Nathan "Eddie" George, Jr. will be the principal speaker at the Foundation’s annual dinner. The dinner is scheduled for Saturday evening, January 28th at the school. This year’s event will begin with Mass in the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Chapel at 5:00 p.m., cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at 5:30 p.m., and dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. George is scheduled to speak at 8:00 p.m.

The event will be a bit less formal this year. While benefactors to the school will still be recognized, the food will be served from stations, and patrons will have the opportunity to enjoy coffee and cordials following the event. Stacy Scott, Colleen Gilardi, and Julie Smith are co-chairs of the event.

George was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended Abington Senior High School until the 10th grade, then transferred to Fork Union Military Academy (FUMA). George made the decision to stay at Fork Union Military Academy for a fifth prep school year. George went on to rush for 1,372 yards in his fifth season at FUMA, attracting the attention of several major colleges. George decided to attend The Ohio State University and major in landscape architecture.

As a freshman running back for the Buckeyes, George was an instant contributor. He scored 3 touchdowns in a win over Syracuse University. In a subsequent game against the University of Illinois, George fumbled at the Illinois' 4-yard line and the ball was returned 96 yards for a touchdown. Later in the same game, with Ohio State leading by 2 points in the final quarter, George fumbled again, this time on Illinois' 1-yard line. Illinois recovered the fumble and drove for the game winning touchdown.

Before the Illinois game, George had carried the ball 25 times and scored 5 touchdowns, but for the rest of the season, he had only 12 more rushing attempts and didn't score once. In the following season, George was used as the team's third string running back and carried the ball only 42 times, mostly when Ohio State had a large lead late in game. However, as a junior, George became the team's starting running back and went on to rush for 1,442 yards and 12 touchdowns.

As a senior in the 1995 season, George rushed for a school record 1,927 yards and 24 touchdowns, an average of 152.2 yards per game, while also catching 44 passes for 399 yards and another score (George only caught 16 passes in his first three seasons). One of his best performances of the year was in a 45-26 win over the University of Notre Dame, where he rushed for 207 yards, his third 200-yard game of the season. He also rushed for a school-record 314 yards and scored 3 touchdowns in OSU's victory over Illinois. In the 3 years since committing his 2 fumbles in the Illinois game as a freshman, George had over 600 rushing attempts and fumbled only 6 times. Ohio State finished the season with a 10-2 record and George won the Heisman Trophy.

George was the first-round draft selection of the Houston Oilers (now the Tennessee Titans). George left Ohio State second in school history in career rushing yards (3,768) and third in rushing touchdowns (44). Overall, he finished with 4,284 all-purpose yards, 45 touchdowns, and a 5.5 yards per carry average. On May 19, 2011, it was announced that George would be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

George won the NFL Rookie of the Year award in 1996, and was the Oilers/Titans' starting tailback through 2003, never missing a start due to injury. He made the Pro Bowl four consecutive years (1997–2000), and helped the Titans earn a championship appearance in Super Bowl XXXIV.

George is only the second National Football League running back to rush for 10,000 yards while never missing a start, joining Jim Brown. Only Walter Payton (170) started more consecutive regular-season games than George’s 128.

George has appeared in numerous television shows and is married to Tamara "Taj" Johnson. He has two sons Eriq Michael and Jaire David. In October 2006, George was appointed spokesperson for Tennessee's GetFitTN program by Gov. Phil Bredesen. The initiative is aimed at the prevention of Type 2 diabetes and the promotion of healthier, more active lifestyles. George has opened sports-themed restaurants in Nashville and in Columbus. George is also a principal of The Edge Group, a planning and landscape architecture firm of over 20 professionals. George recently graduated from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, earning an MBA in the Executive MBA program.

“This year’s event has generated a great deal of excitement,” Bennett stated. “We expect it to be ‘sold out’ before the end of the week. Certainly, I want to thank the co-chairs for their hard work as well as all of those who served as ticket captains, and through their efforts, guaranteed the success of the event.”

Those seeking information about the event can contact Lehman Catholic Development Director Scott Greve.

Lehman Catholic High School’s Science Olympiad team placed 34th out of 46 teams participating in an invitational held this past weekend at Northmont High School. In addition to schools from Ohio, teams competing in this event came from Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

Science Olympiad competitions are like academic track meets, consisting of a series of 23 team events. Each year, a portion of the events are rotated to reflect the ever-changing nature of genetics, earth science, chemistry, anatomy, physics, geology, mechanical engineering and technology. By combining events from all disciplines, Science Olympiad encourages a wide cross-section of students to get involved. Emphasis is placed on active, hands-on group participation.

Teamwork is a required skill in most scientific careers today, and Science Olympiad encourages group learning by designing events that forge alliances. In Elevated Bridge, an engineering whiz and a kid from wood shop can become gold medalists. Similarly, a talented builder and a student with a good science vocabulary can excel in Write It Do It, one of Science Olympiad's most popular events.

Finishing in the top twenty in their events were Nicole Larger and Morgan Schmitmeyer, 19th in Anatomy and Physiology; Dan Deafenbaugh and Nick Boshonek, 16th in Chemistry Lab; Samantha Neumeier, Lauren Vanderhorst, and Allison Larger, 20th in Protein Modeling; Samantha Neumeier and Katie Rossman, 15th in Remote Sensing.

Dan Deafenbaugh and William Duritsch placed 21st in Robot Arm; Katie Rossman and Abby O’Connell, 21st in Thermodynamics; and Jacob Haller and Riley Pickrel, 22nd in Towers.

Each student on Lehman’s Science Olympiad Team usually trains for 3 events. Lehman’s team will attend several invitationals to prepare for the Northwest (Ohio) Regional competition on March 3. At stake is a trip to the state competition. Lehman has qualified for state the last seven consecutive years.

Students competing at Northmont were Nick Boshonek, Katie Catanzarite, Dan Deafenbaugh, William Duritsch, Colleen Kinninger, Nicole Larger, Emily Pax, Kane Pickrel, Morgan Schmitmeyer, Hayley Baker, Pierce Bennett, Nick Cummons, Jacob Haller, Samantha Neumeier, Riley Pickrel, Katie Rossman, Stephen Blenman, Joe Fuller, Allison Larger, Adam Link, Abby O’Connell, Lauren Vanderhorst, and Grace Winhoven.

The faculty advisor of the Lehman team is Science Department Chair Sister Ginny Scherer. Other Lehman science teachers involved in coaching the team are Tracy Hall and Ruthie Baker. Volunteers from the Lehman community who help with coaching are Jim Hemm, Gary Schultz, Frank Blenman, and Kim and Steve Wenning.

Funding for Lehman Catholic’s Science Olympiad Team is provided by grants from the Emerson Electric Foundation, the Piqua Community Foundation and the Knights of St. John Commandery 194.

Technology has forced educators to focus more attention on disciplines that prepare students for the future and the world that they are going to inherit. Because technology is advancing at an exponential rate, the need for more students to become proficient in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics is becoming an important goal for the American educational system. The four disciplines, known as STEM, and the increasing push to have these content areas addressed more critically is becoming a very important initiative on the American educational landscape.

Lehman Catholic High Schools Science Department continues to have a tradition of excellence. Lehman Catholic has been awarded the Governor’s Thomas Edison Award for Excellence in STEM Education for 22 consecutive years. Presented by the Ohio Academy of Science, Lehman Catholic was one of 48 Ohio high schools to receive the award this year. Ohio has 1,017 state-chartered public and non-public high schools.

“Lehman offers a wide range of courses of courses covering all aspects of science from basic courses to Advanced Placement classes,” said Sister Ginny Scherer, SC, chair of the department. “Our philosophy is to prepare students not just to be knowledgeable but to develop skills for critical thinking. While knowledge of information is important,today’s world needs problem solvers,” Scherer said.

Lehman offers Integrated Science, Environmental Science, Biology, AP Biology, Anatomy I and Anatomy II, Chemistry, AP Chemistry, and Physics. Students can receive Dual Enrollment (college and high school) credit for Chemistry, AP Chemistry, and Physics through Wright State University or Edison Community College.

In addition to classroom learning, Lehman offers a number of science extracurricular activities, clubs, and competitive teams designed to match students’ interests. Participation in the annual Science Fair is required for some classes and optional in others. Many Lehman students who participate in the school’s science fair and receive superior ratings advance to district and state competition. Several Lehman students have had the opportunity to advance to the International Science Fair.

The Lehman Science Olympiad Team is a regular participant at the regional and state tournaments. Last year was the seventh consecutive year that the team qualified for the state tournament. Lehman is always one of the smallest schools of the 40 teams across the state of Ohio to compete in the State Science Olympiad event.

For several years, Lehman science students have participated in the Ohio Energy Project, where high school students teach elementary school students about the types of energy. They learn to use hands-on projects to bring the message of energy conservation to younger students.

Lehman students also participate in TEAMS (Test of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science). In addition, the school also fields an Envirothon Team.

“Many of our students pursue college majors that relate to science, engineering, or medicine,” said Scherer. “It is always gratifying when they return and say how well prepared they were for college work in every area of science.”

Science faculty at Lehman includes Scherer, Tracy Hall, and Ruth Baker. More than a hundred volunteers from the community assist with the school’s science program by coaching students in various competitive events and judging the annual Science Fair. Those interested in volunteering to help are encouraged to contact Sister Scherer at the school.

Following the death of longtime Piqua businessman Stanley Harrison, owner and operator of Barclay’s Clothiers, his family wanted to establish a scholarship in his name to benefit students at Lehman Catholic High School. After looking at the number of scholarships already available to high school graduates, Harrison’s wife Sammye and son Bert decided to recognize the often overlooked educators who make it possible for so many students to earn scholarships to college.

They were convinced that the reason for student success at Lehman was its dedicated staff, so the Harrison Family Teacher of the Year award was created. First awarded in 2007, the first recipients were Science Department Chair Sister Ginny Scherer, SC, George Grampp, former Social Studies Department Chair; Barb Saluke, English Department Chair and Senior Guidance Counselor; and Melissa Safreed, math and psychology teacher.

Just announced, the 2011-12 Harrison Family Teacher of the Year recipient is Pam Wendel. Wendel began teaching at Lehman Catholic in 1979. Wendel holds a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics and German from Bowling Green State University and a Masters Degree in Education Curriculum and Supervision from Wright State University.

The school’s classroom teachers make the annual selection. The process involves the teachers voting for their colleague they believe best suits the criteria.

Lehman Catholic Principal Denise Stauffer made the announcement at a recent gathering that included faculty, staff and administrators. “Denise was describing the award recipient and I suddenly realized she was talking about me - I was so surprised,” said Wendel. “There are so many outstanding teachers at Lehman. I am very privileged and humbled to have been selected for this honor.”

Chairman of the Math Department, Wendel teaches Algebra II, geometry, and sociology. Students in her sociology class can receive Dual Enrollment college credit through Wright State University. In addition to classroom teaching, Wendel is the junior class advisor and advisor for the Lehman Chapter of the National Honor Society.

“It was a great honor to award this year’s Harrison Family Teacher of the Year award to Pam,” Stauffer said. “She is a patient and caring teacher who encourages her students to do their best. She has done an exceptional job at Lehman and has been dedicated to the school and the students for many years. Never reluctant to devote extra time both inside and outside the classroom, Pam lives the mission of the school every day.”

“I have enjoyed working with many wonderful people and have made lifelong friends,” Wendel said. “It is always a joy to see students develop their individual talents – whether it is in the classroom, on the athletic field, in the band or choir or on the stage, or just in their everyday lives. I often feel like a proud parent of them all.”

Wendel is a native of St. Marys, Ohio, where she and her husband Mark reside. They have one son, Ryan, currently a senior.

The Lehman Catholic Music Department will present its annual Christmas Concert on Wednesday, December 14, at 7:00 p.m. in the Jerry DeLong Gymnasium at the school. The program includes selections performed by the Concert Band, the Cavalier Choir, the Concert Choir, and The Lehman Limelighters and Combo.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The performance begins at 7:00 p.m. Punch and cookies will be served following the musical program. No admission is charged, and the public is invited.

Selections by the Lehman Concert Band include “Fantasy on a Flemish Carol,” “Good King Wenceslas,” “Angel Flight,” “Scherzo for Santa,” and “Bring a Torch.”

The Cavalier Choir will perform “Be Glad This Festive Day” and the Concert Choir will perform “The Little Drummer Boy.” The two groups will combine to perform “Sleigh Ride,” “Do You Hear What I Hear,” and “A Bit of Holiday Cheer.”

The Limelighters and Combo will perform “Ring in the Holidays,” “Various Themes on Fa-La-La,” “O Holy Night,” and “Salsa Noel!”

The Lehman choirs are under the direction of Jacquelyn Jenkinson. The band is directed by Elaine Schweller-Snyder.

Volleyball players at Lehman Catholic High School were recently honored at a post-season awards night celebrating another successful fall season. The 2011 Lady Cavaliers captured their 19th straight District title and finished as Regional runners-up after losing to eventual State Champion St. Henry.

Coaches Greg Snipes, Lonnie Cain, and John Kuhn presented the Most Valuable Player award to junior Andrea Thobe. The Offensive Player of the Year award was shared by senior Morgan Schmitmeyer and junior Ellie Waldsmith. The Defensive Player of the Year award was presented for the second year in a row to sophomore Erica Paulus.

Senior Lindsey Spearman received the Serving Award. The Varsity Coaches Award went to senior Paxton Hatcher and the JV Coaches Award was presented to freshman Ellie Sargent.

Receiving her fourth varsity letter for volleyball was Morgan Schmitmeyer. Third year letter winners were Andrea Thobe, Lindsey Spearman, and Ellie Waldsmith. Second year letter winners were Ellie Cain, Erica Paulus, Meghan Earhart, Paxton Hatcher, Amy Watercutter, and Maria Yannucci. Receiving a letter for her first year on varsity was Olivia Slagle.

Members of the JV volleyball team who also received recognition were Margo Baker, Kaitlin Gillman, Jennifer Kaeck, Ellie Sargent, Ava Schmitz, Ally Bergman, Emilie Cavinder, Kennedy McIver, and Lexi Steineman.

Lehman Catholic’s seniors will take a break from their busy lives this week as they focus their attention on their relationship with God.  The students will depart next Tuesday afternoon for Bergamo Center and Kairos 32, a four-day, peer-led overnight retreat that will conclude Friday evening.  A multi-day, overnight religious retreat during the senior year is a Lehman Catholic graduation requirement.

Many Catholic high schools across the country use the Kairos retreat model.  This is the eighteenth year that Lehman has used this retreat, and it has proven effective. 

Lehman graduate and current faculty member Joseph Schmiesing serves as the retreat director.  “Kairos is a time for students to see themselves and their relationship with God on a deeper level,” Schmiesing said prior to departing for this year’s retreat.  “Students are challenged to break through the walls that have been built up between themselves and others, and to learn that  God is present for us even in the hectic times in which we live.  My hope for our students is that the spirit of Kairos will extend beyond today, beyond their senior year, and into the rest of their lives.”

Kairos is the Greek word for God’s time and differs from chronos, or clock time.  In Scripture, Kairos is a time of salvation.  The Kairos model provides the seniors the opportunity to escape from the ordinary day-to-day routine in which we follow schedules and become immersed in tasks that need our immediate attention.  During Kairos, the students put themselves on God’s time and connect with God and their classmates without the stress of daily to-do lists.  The challenge of the Kairos Retreat is to live out that message in everyday life.

One unique characteristic about Kairos retreats is that the retreat is facilitated by student leaders.  David Freytag is serving at the rector of Kairos-32.  Other student leaders include Dan Deafenbaugh, Dan Sehlhorst, Meghan Earhart, Emily Pax, Colleen Kinninger, Amelia Schultz, and Maria Yannucci.  Each student will give at least one reflective talk, with subjects including Why are you here?, Know Yourself, Ideals, Piety, Study of God, Forgiveness, Love in Action, and The Fourth Day.

Adult leaders attending Kairos-32 include mathematics teacher Jack Albers, Development Director Scott Greve, business teacher Joe Harrmann, English Department Chair and Senior Guidance Counselor Barb Saluke, Science Department Chair Sister Ginny Scherer, Principal Denise Stauffer, Chaplain Father Daniel Hess and Schmiesing.  Adults also give reflective talks.  Those talks include Life’s Journey, God’s Friendship, Results of God’s Friendship, The Eucharist, Obstacles to God’s Friendship, and The Sacraments.

The senior leaders attended Kairos 31 last year as juniors to prepare to lead this year’s retreat.  Similarly, a group of juniors are attending this retreat with the seniors to prepare to lead Kairos-33 for their classmates next December.  They include Hayley Baker, Lauren Bosway, Katie Rossman, Ellie Waldsmith, Dan Davis, Louis Gaier, Michael Jacob, and Ethan Jock. 

Other schools wishing to adopt the Kairos retreat model also have to work with another school for training.  Nearly two decades ago, student and adult leaders from Alter High School welcomed prospective leaders from Lehman Catholic. 

This year, Lehman will provide training for student and adult leaders from Lima Central Catholic High School.  Student leaders attending from Central Catholic include Shannon Altenbach, Connor Dee, Jose Dominquez, Austin Goodridge, Tim Levers, Alexa Nieman, Sarah Pajka, Emma Patton, and Sarah Scheiwiller.   Adult leaders from Central Catholic include Principal Walt Klimaski, Chaplain Father Tim Ferris, Math Department Chair Julie Thaxton, science teacher Deb Schenk, and religion teacher Nancy Bronder.  All of the retreatants and their leaders will return to Lehman Friday evening.

The mathematics faculty at Lehman Catholic High School is a formidable force. With a century of teaching experience between the three teachers who comprise the department, they teach every level of high school mathematics.

The teachers include Pam Wendel, Melissa Safreed, and Jack Albers. The trio lead Lehman students on a mathematical journey from basic algebra to Advanced Placement Calculus.

“We have classes for the ‘math-challenged’, for those who excel in math, and everyone in between,” said Wendel, Math Department Chair. “In all our courses, we meet students where they are and give them a good foundation for future study.” Wendel, who is in her 34th year at Lehman, teaches the intermediate classes that all students must master, Geometry and Algebra II.

Three years of math are required for all high school students in the State of Ohio, but most Lehman students take four. A number of students who jumpstart their math education with Algebra I in the eighth grade actually end up with five high school math courses on their transcripts.

The higher level classes are taught by Jack Albers, a 45-year veteran educator who started his career at Marion Local High School. He began teaching at Lehman Catholic when he retired from Marion Local in 1996.

“Mr. Albers has logged thousands of hours in the classroom,” Wendel said, ”but his energy and teaching style pushes even the brightest math students. Mr. Albers has high expectations of every student. Students often complain about the difficulty of his classes,” Wendel stated. “But when they return from college for a visit, they quickly acknowledge their gratitude for the background in mathematics Mr. Albers has given them.”

Albers admits he has a different approach to teaching than some mathematics teachers. “Math isn’t just numbers; it’s a language,” said Albers. “Students must understand the ‘why’ when they are doing math and be able to communicate this effectively. I don’t just teach them math; I teach them to think.”

Albers teaches Pre-Calculus, Calculus, and Advanced Placement Calculus. All three classes (along with Algebra III/Trigonometry) are offered at Lehman as Dual Enrollment classes. Dual Enrollment allows students the opportunity to receive both high school and college credit simultaneously. The teachers are certified by a partner college and the material being taught is the same as what is taught in a college course.

“A student can graduate from Lehman with college credits in several mathematics courses. This advantage allows them to take advanced mathematics’ classes in college or in some cases, not to take math at the college level at all,” Wendel said.

The third member of Lehman’s Math Department is Lehman graduate Melissa Safreed. Currently in her 23rd year in the classroom, Safreed teaches Elementary Algebra, Algebra I, and Algebra III/Trigonometry. “Lehman’s mathematics curriculum is certainly one of the best in the area,” Safreed said. “Our small class size combined with the variety of math courses offered here provide tremendous opportunities for our students.”

Another strength of the department is the dedication of the faculty members. Most mornings, Albers and Safreed are in their classrooms by 7:30 a.m. for before-school tutoring, and Wendel often offers extra help afterschool. Many calculus students skip homeroom to stay in Albers’ classroom in the early morning, asking questions and working and reworking challenging problems.

Consistently listed as one of Ohio’s top academic high schools in Ohio, Lehman Catholic will host and open house for prospective students on November 20th. Enrollment information is available by contacting Principal Denise Stauffer, or Director of Guidance Services Charles Hoying.

In the tradition of Joe Creviston, who taught art at Lehman from 1990 until 1996 and Marcia Maas, who taught art at Lehman for the next fourteen years, Lehman Catholic’s new art teacher has a passion for art. As soon as you begin talking to Connie Grant, you realize that art is the great love of her life. Aside from the painting apron she wears in the classroom, it is the way her eyes light up when she talks about the artwork on display, artists currently being studied, or any aspect of art education. Grant is the new art teacher at Lehman Catholic High School, replacing Marcia Maas who retired in May.

Grant comes to Lehman with a variety of experiences. After graduating from Cincinnati Technical College, she worked as a medical lab technologist for a number of years. It was something she enjoyed, but her dream was to return to school to begin a second career as an art teacher. She received her degree in Art Education from the College of Mt. St. Joseph in Cincinnati.

Her first position was at St. Ursula Villa in Cincinnati, a pre-K-8 Catholic school. She then spent several years at the Dayton Art Institute, teaching adult classes through the museum’s education department. “It was a good learning experience,” said Grant. “I was exposed to so much there, but I wanted to move back to teaching younger students.”

“I wanted to try teaching at the high school level and I wanted to be in a Catholic school, so when I saw the opening at Lehman, I knew it could be a good fit for me,” said Grant, “I felt it would be a bigger challenge since high school students would have more advanced skills. Working with them is a way of keeping me challenged too.”

“It has been a fairly easy transition to the high school classroom,” said Grant. “The students at Lehman are wonderful - so eager to learn. They are working hard and achieving some great results. In addition, the art room is so spacious; it is a terrific facility.”

This semester, Grant is teaching Art Fundmentals, Painting and Drawing, Art History, and Studio Art. “We are working on basic skills now, especially the powers of observation,” she said. “I want them to see something and draw what they see.” In the second semester, Drawing and Painting students will move on to Ceramics.

“My first goal with all the classes is to generate a love of art that will carry throughout their lives,” said Grant. “The art realm is so vast. We could study something different every day and still barely scratch the surface.”

“Mrs. Grant has been a wonderful addition to our staff,” Lehman Principal Denise Stauffer said. “She has exposed our students to a variety of media – her enthusiasm for her subject is infectious. In addition, she teaches to a variety of learning styles helping her students become as excited about art as she is,” Stauffer noted.

Grant and her husband Dennis live in Miamisburg where he works for United Rehabilitation Services. She does not mind the 50-minute commute up Interstate 75 to Sidney. “I was commuting to Mount Lookout when I taught in Cincinnati,” she said. “It is about the same distance to come to Lehman but much less traffic! It is really a pleasant drive.” The couple has two grown sons who live in Chicago. Taylor is a chef, and Jacob, taking after his mother, is a graphic design artist.

More than fifty supporters of Catholic schools gathered earlier this week at Lehman Catholic High School to hear a presentation on the year-long study of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Dr. James Rigg, Director of Educational Services and Superintendent for Catholic Schools, provided an overview on the more than 500-page study just released. Lighting the Way: A Vision for Catholic School Education was the result of a year-long study conducted by ACE Consulting, a part of the University of Notre Dame.

The research conducted to develop the report is the first step in a two-year process initiated by Cincinnati Archbishop Dennis Schnurr to strengthen the Catholic schools of southwestern Ohio. “The report is a snapshot of the current state of Catholic school enrollment,” said Rigg. “It provides no conclusions or analysis but rather reflects data that has been collected since January 2011.”

“The decline in Catholic school enrollment in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati is a reflection of national trends,” Rigg noted. “Because of changes in population, demographics, and school climate, the 5.2 million Catholic school students of the 1960’s have shrunk to just over two million today. In the last ten years, 1755 Catholic schools have closed or consolidated nationwide. While startling, these are also deceptive figures, because many areas of the country are seeing growth, not only with increased enrollments but the opening of new schools as well,” Rigg reported.

Locally, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati has 113 schools in 19 counties. Total enrollment stands at just under 44,000, making it the eighth largest Catholic school system in the nation. The Archdiocese of Cincinnati ranks 38th in the number of registered parishioners in Catholic churches nationwide.

“The good news for Catholic schools is that academic success remains high as does parental support and satisfaction. The legacy pride and loyalty to Catholic schools is widespread, with many alumni continuing to support this vital alternative to public education,” Rigg said.

Rigg told those in attendance that the report is based on the belief that “together we are stronger.” “We need to uphold local identities yet strive for a common vision,” he said. “A greater sense of collaboration will ensure the future of our schools.”

The report has identified seven key areas that need to be addressed. The seven areas include: 1) Catholic identity and faith formation; 2) academic excellence; 3) finances; 4) governance; 5) leadership; 6) marketing and enrollment; and, 7) strategic planning. Rigg advised those attending that the next step will be to form task forces in each area. These groups of 6-8 people will collect more specific data, identify trends, and form conclusions. Their work will serve as a springboard for action that can positively impact all the Catholic schools in the Archdiocese.

Because of distance to Cincinnati, the schools in this area often feel less a part of the workings of the Catholic Schools Office. In the question and answer period following his presentation, Rigg assured attendees that the Catholic schools in the northern area of the Archdiocese, which includes Lehman Catholic High School and six elementary schools (Immaculate Conception, Celina, Piqua Catholic, Holy Angels, Sidney, Saint Patrick, Troy, Saint Mary, Greenville and Holy Rosary, Saint Marys) have not been forgotten.

“If a Catholic school closes in urban Cincinnati, there is likely another a few blocks away that can absorb its students,” said Rigg. “This is not true in the northern area. We want very much to keep Catholic education viable for families in this region, so problem-solving here is very important to the Catholic Schools Office.”

Although faced with population decline and some unique challenges, the northern area has potential for growth by widening its scope through marketing and collaborative planning. According to Rigg, the Catholic Schools Office is committed to supporting those efforts.

While not able to answer specific questions about what changes could come as a result of the study, Rigg was very confident that the eventual plan will reverse some of the current disheartening trends. “The Catholic Schools Office must take a more active role in the process,” said Rigg, who came to Cincinnati after working on Catholic school reform in Colorado Springs. “People are being priced out of Catholic schools. The Catholic School Office needs to guide financial planning and expense control, and work to partner schools with local leadership and Catholic universities who can help with funding.”

In conclusion, Rigg urged everyone to stay informed, participate in the process if asked, be open-minded, and pray for success. The entire report can be viewed at www.catholiccincinnati.org.

Crowned Lehman Catholic's homecoming king and queen prior to Friday evening's game were Alex Baker, son of Tim and Karen Baker and Colleen Kinninger, daughter of Dave and Barb Kinninger.

At the height of the 1980’s, most Catholic institutions had very active folk music ministry groups. Lehman Catholic High School’s folk music ministry was headed by then Lehman parent Marianne Dunson. Since that time, students have come and gone and tastes have changed. Lehman’s music ministry in recent years has consisted of congregational singing accompanied by piano and led by student cantors.

The school’s music ministry is taking another turn this year. A student-led group of vocalists have formed a choir that will sing at the school’s weekly Masses. The choir will be accompanied by some musical instrumentation as well.

Senior Emily Pax and junior Ethan Jock are the force behind the enhancement of the music for Lehman liturgies. Pax has played piano for school Masses since her freshman year. She has also been involved in music ministry at her parish, St. Mary Church in Piqua. Jock is involved in the youth choir at Holy Angels Church in Sidney and also cantors at Masses at the church.

While still encouraging all the students to join in the singing during school Masses, Jock is directing a student choir to help lead the singing. The choir will also sing a meditative hymn after communion. Jock continues to act as cantor although other students will be joining Jock in cantoring for liturgical celebrations in the future.

“I wanted to form a choir so that we might better praise the Lord with song,” said Jock. “Since Jesus is truly present at Mass through the Eucharist, it is my hope that we can get people involved in the liturgical celebration and can be even more prayerful as a school community.”

Most of the choir members are active in the Lehman Music Department either as members of the Lehman Limelighters Show Choir or the Cavalier Choir, but the group is open to any student. The students practice each week in the school’s choral music room.

In addition to Jock, current choir members include William Duritsch, Dan Davis, Kris Lee, Natalie Davis, Dana Jenkins, Olivia Sehlhorst, Mille Wildenhaus, Samantha Neumeier, MaKenna Cabe, Tori Tullis, Micayla Hanover, Grace Jackson, Abbie Vogann, Elaina Snyder, Sarah Cabe, Katie Rossman, and Julia Harrelson.

The first communion meditation, an arrangement of “Ave Maria,” featured the choir and three violinists along with piano. Sophomores Grace Winhoven and Grace Jackson and freshman Rachel Remencus started on violin while students at DeColores Montessori School in Greenville. Winhoven and Jackson are currently members of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra’s Junior Strings.

“The violin adds so much to our musical accompaniment,” Jock noted. “The classical sound produced by the instrument really adds to the solemn nature of the Mass.”

Students and faculty attend Mass at least once a week. Liturgies are usually celebrated on Fridays except on weeks when Holy Days of Obligation occur. Mass is then celebrated on the Holy Day.

Lehman Catholic High School Principal Denise Stauffer today announced that senior Daniel Sehlhorst has been named a Commended Student in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship competition. A Letter of Commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) was presented to Sehlhorst by Stauffer following the celebration of Mass Friday morning.

About 34,000 Commended Students attending high schools throughout the nation are receiving similar recognition for their exceptional academic promise. These students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who took the 2010 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Although they are not eligible to receive National Merit Scholarships, these Commended Students are assured a chance for additional scholarship offers from the colleges and universities at which they choose to apply.

“The young men and women being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource. Recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, it vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”

Sehlhorst is the son of Dan and Marcie Sehlhorst of Troy. A member of Saint Patrick Parish in Troy, Sehlhorst attended Saint Patrick School and Piqua Catholic School for junior high before matriculating to Lehman for high school.

While at Lehman Catholic, Sehlhorst has participated on the Science Olympiad, Academia and Mock Trial teams. Captain of the soccer team, he is also a member of the tennis team. Sehlhorst also serves as vice president of the Lehman Catholic Student Council, is a member of the Interact Club, Pro-Lifeguards and the Substance Abuse Advisory Committee. Sehlhorst is a member of Lehman’s Spiritual Life Council, is a Kairos Retreat leader, and is president of the Saint Patrick Parish Youth Council.

An ambassador to the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Conference and a delegate to Buckeye Boys State, Shelhorst received the University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Science Award and a Youth Leadership Award from the Rotary Club earlier this year. Shelhorst also served as a page in the United States House of Representatives.

Students at Lehman Catholic High School will have a unique opportunity Monday morning to hear Felix Weil share his story of survival. Rescued from Nazi Germany through the Kindertransport program, Weil will share his life story with the students.

Kindertransport is the informal name given to the rescue operation that saved approximately 10,000 Jewish children from extermination in the Nazi death camps. In response to Kristallnacht (“Night of Broken Glass”), the British Jewish Refugee Committee appealed to members of Parliament. The British government had just refused to allow 10,000 Jewish children to enter Palestine, but the atrocities in Germany and Austria, the untiring persistence of the refuge advocates, and philosemitic sympathy in some high places swayed the government to permit an unspecified number of children under the age of 17 to enter the United Kingdom.

“Here is a chance of taking the young generation of a great people - here is a chance of mitigating to some extend the terrible suffering of their parents and their friends” British Foreign Minister Samuel Hoare told Parliament. After much debate, Parliament agreed to admit Jewish children on temporary travel documents, with the idea that they would rejoin their parents when the crisis in Germany was over.

A fifty Pound Sterling bond had to be posted for each child “to assure their ultimate resettlement.” The children were to travel in sealed trains. The first transport left on December 1, 1938, less than one month after Kristallnacht; the last left on September 1, 1939—just two days before Great Britain's entry into the war.

A native of Frankfurt-am-Main, Weil attended the prestigious Philanthropin School. After Kristallnacht, many Jewish families sent their children out of Germany via the Kindertransport to escape the coming catastrophe. At the age of eleven he found himself in England, still not realizing that he would never see his family again. In 1941, his parents and sister were sent to the Lodz ghetto in Poland, and his father died there. His mother and sister died later in concentration camps.

In 1945, an aunt and uncle brought him to the United States, but he was almost immediately drafted and sent back to Germany to serve with the occupation forces in Frankfurt-am-Main. After serving in the Army, he graduated from Kent State University. He moved to Dayton after graduation and represented publishers of graphic arts works in both the United States and Europe.

Now retired, he has been recognized by the U.S. Air Force Museum on countless occasions for his volunteer work. In appreciation for his work, the Museum awarded him the coveted Angel Award. Weil frequently conducts tours through Prejudice and Memory: A Holocaust Exhibit. He and his wife Frances have two children.

Weil’s appearance is part of a monthly speaker series at the school that provides students the opportunity to meet individuals who help to bring their studies alive. Members of the public who may wish to hear Weil may contact the school for additional information.

Jacquelyn Jenkinson may be a new teacher at Lehman Catholic High School, but the hallways and the bell schedule are very familiar to her. Jenkinson, a 2004 graduate of Lehman Catholic, is the new choir director at her alma mater.

The former Jacquelyn Seger holds a Bachelors Degree in music education from Miami University. While at Miami, Jenkinson was involved in numerous ensembles including marching band, symphonic band, steel pan, and percussion groups. Although she played both the clarinet and mallet percussion at Lehman, she chose to major in percussion at Miami. Her vocal training started while at Lehman, with two years in what was then called Varsity Choir and two years in the Limelighters Show Choir.

After a year as the band director at Fort Recovery High School, Jenkinson spent two years subbing and working with percussionists at Lehman, Anna, and Piqua High Schools. During that time, she did long-term subbing in vocal music at Fairlawn High School. That experience gave her the confidence to apply for the choral position opening at Lehman.

“It is nice to be back and the transition has been surprisingly easy,” said Jenkinson. “I have been working with the percussion section for the last two years, so I already knew a lot of the students.”

Jenkinson is teaching three choir classes – Concert Choir, Cavalier Choir, and the Limelighters. She is also continuing to help with the band.

This year’s show choir includes 19 singer-dancers, six combo musicians, and two crew members. “My main focus has been to instill the structure and discipline that I remember from my high school years at Lehman,” said Jenkinson. “The music that I have selected for the group should generate high energy performances. The Limelighters have always been Lehman’s top ambassadors and I want them to represent the school well.”

The Cavalier Choir is more of a concert group that will concentrate on singing rather than adding movement. “Vocally, I hope that the two groups will eventually be at the same level,” said Jenkinson. “The difference will be the style and complexity of the music.”

Jenkinson has chosen the Concert Choir to be more of a training choir, where students without much musical background can learn the fundamentals of music. “I want them to have the basics so they can move on to Cavalier Choir or the Limelighters if they choose,” she said. “But even if they don’t sing in another group, they will learn to appreciate all types of music.”

The only thing that is a little intimidating is becoming a colleague of her former teachers, including Lehman Band Director Elaine Schweller-Snyder. “They have really made it easy, though,” said Jenkinson. “I want to call them mister or misses instead of by their first names, but they quickly correct me and put me at ease.”

The daughter of Bernard and Darlene Seger of Sidney, Jenkinson and her husband Jeremy live in Russia. Her sisters Jessica and Julia are also Lehman graduates (classes of 2008 and 2009) and both girls were involved in band and choir in high school. Brother Jared is a Lehman freshman and taking after his sister, he is a percussionist in the band. Mom “Darlene” has been an active member of the Lehman Music Boosters for many years, so having Jacquelyn teaching music at Lehman just seems like a natural fit for the Seger family.

Earlier this week, the Lehman Catholic High School Student Council sponsored their biannual “Opportunity Day.” Opportunity Days have been a part of the Lehman Catholic culture for some years, and serve to acquaint students with ways that they can volunteer within the community.

Student Council President David Freytag opened the program and Julia Harrelson, treasurer, led prayer. Vice President Daniel Sehlhorst then introduced the various speakers. At the end of the program, students were given a chance to visit tables set up by various local organizations to ask questions, get more information and to sign up to volunteer.

The first speaker was Sheila Lundy from Big Buddies. This youth version of Big Brothers/Big Sisters is an afterschool activity for K-3 youngsters and high school volunteers. The participating “littles” are referred by school counselors or parents and are generally children living with a single parent or another relative who need positive role models. High school students build a relationship with their buddies by playing games, reading, and doing interactive activities.

Betsy Naseman, a music therapist representing Dorothy Love Retirement Community, spoke to the students about volunteering to do activities with the residents there. A 2001 Lehman graduate, Naseman told the students that the residents like to play games or cards, make crafts or sew, or listen to music. Dorothy Love has Wii games and a computer system called “It’s Never Too Late” designed for older users. Most of the residents just need one-on-one interaction to get involved. She urged the students to share their talents and time with the older generation. “It can prove to be a wonderful experience for both the residents and the volunteers. Young people put a smile on the faces of our residents - they love it when you come.”

That sentiment was echoed by Anita Miller and Janet Landis, representing Fair Haven Shelby County Home. Fair Haven also has Wii games, and residents there welcome young volunteers to join them for activities. The time spent can be rewarding for both sides. “If you spend time with an older person, you will learn so much from them,” said Miller.

Father Dan Hess, Lehman’s chaplain, talked about ways that students can be of service in their Catholic parishes, including becoming lectors and Mass servers. “You are not just the future of our parishes, you are our present,” said Hess, who is associated with Holy Angels Parish. “There are many ways to serve, from reading at Mass to raking leaves.” Students were urged to seek out these service opportunities at their own parishes.

Junior Lauren Bosway then spoke about a before-school Bible Study program conducted by Jon Paul Hebert, youth minister at St. Boniface and St. Mary Parishes. The program is titled “Wake Up with the King” and the classes will meet at 7:00 a.m. on Friday mornings for the next eight weeks.

Junior Michael Jacob spoke on behalf of the Interact Club, the high school version of Rotary International. Interact is involved with numerous service projects throughout the school year. Last year, they raised money to support the “Make A Wish” Foundation and to send school supplies to African children.

Senior Colleen Kinninger presented information about the Lehman Pro-Lifeguards, an organization on campus dedicated to fighting for the Right-to-Life. Among the activities of the club are peaceful protests at the abortion clinic in Dayton, the annual March for Life in Washington D.C. in January, and the placement of white crosses on the school lawn in May to represent lives lost to abortion each day.

Junior Nicole Larger spoke about Relay for Life, a national organization that raises money for cancer research. The Lehman team participates annually in the Shelby County Relay for Life. Lehman’s “Cancer Crusaders” have raised more than $30,000 for this cause. Lehman’s team collects aluminum cans for recycling through their “Can Cancer” initiative, and sponsors activities at the school’s Field Day in May.

Following the presentations about service opportunities, Sister Ginny Scherer told students about extracurricular science clubs, including Science Olympiad and JETS-TEAMS, an engineering competition. “Often students want to study engineering in college, but they have no idea what an engineer does,” said Scherer. “Joining one of these competitive science activities provides insight into the kinds of problem solving and working in teams that engineers do on a daily basis.”

Student Council Secretary Grace Frantz closed the assembly with prayer. The students had the opportunity to enjoy donuts, milk, and juice while visiting the tables to get more information about the various opportunities and to sign up to volunteer.

When Cynthia Nguyen graduated from Lehman Catholic High School in 2005 and entered the six-year pharmacy program at Ohio Northern University (ONU), she knew it would be challenging. What she did not realize was how well her leadership and service experiences at Lehman Catholic had prepared her to continue that path of success in college and beyond.

After a stellar range of accomplishments on the ONU campus, Nguyen graduated in May 2011 and has accepted a two-year Rutgers Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship (RPIF). This Fellowship is an opportunity for pharmacy graduates to participate in large U.S. and global cross-functional project teams in nearly all aspects of drug development, from clinical trials to interactions with health authorities such as the Federal Drug Administration to bring new medicines to market.

Through the RPIF, young pharmacists receive hands-on training with some of the top pharmaceutical and biotech companies in America. Each fellow is selected into a sponsor company and placed within a specific department with the opportunity to rotate to a multitude of departments. Created in 1984, RPIF is the oldest such program in the nation. Currently RPIF has 13 of the nation’s top pharmaceutical or biotech companies associated with its program. The program includes over 500 alumni who are now working in companies around the globe.

Nguyen was placed with Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc. in product development and regulatory affairs. “Roche’s overall mission is to bring medications to patients with an unmet need, meaning no treatment exists for them,” said Nguyen. “The reward of knowing that what I am doing is impacting and helping many people, not just locally but worldwide, is what led me to this career path.”

Associated with the Fellowship is the Rutgers component which puts Nguyen in the classroom as an adjunct faculty member at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. “I have the opportunity to interact with pharmacy students by lecturing on a multitude of topics ranging from pharmacy practice to leadership in pharmacy,” said Nguyen. “I’d say 90% of my time is spent at Roche and the other 10% with the Rutgers component.”

Speaking about leadership should come natural to Nguyen, considering the long list of her activities at ONU and stretching back to her high school days. At Lehman, she served as a class officer and drum major of the marching band, in addition to playing basketball and soccer. She was also on the honor roll and a member of the National Honor Society and Academia team.

Her leadership skills blossomed at ONU, both in her major field of study and in campus activities and student government. As a member of the Academy of Student Pharmacists, she was the recipient of the Ohio Pharmacist Association Outstanding Leadership Award, given to one student in the state of Ohio for pharmacy advocacy leadership. She also served on the Ohio Pharmacist Association Board of Trustees as a voting member.

Nguyen was an Operation Heartburn Training Co-Chair, training student pharmacists about gastroesophageal reflux disease and heartburn prevention. She was recognized by Operation Heartburn with their national award for her efforts.

In addition to a number of professional affiliations and memberships, Nguyen was a member of Phi Lambda Sigma (Pharmacy Honorary) and Omicron Delta Kappa (Leadership Honorary). She was elected president of Omicron Delta Kappa, the highest leadership honorary at ONU.

A consistent Dean’s List student, Nguyen served as the College of Pharmacy Representative on the ONU Student Senate. She was also on the College of Pharmacy Appeals Board and the University Disciplinary Board.

As a member of the President’s Club, Nguyen was part of a select group of students chosen to travel with the University President and First Lady to visit alumni across the nation. She oversaw and executed an event put on by the President and First Lady that honors the top three student organizations of the year as well as two students from each class for outstanding leadership. She was also the chair of the Catherine Freed Award event which recognizes an outstanding senior female student.

Nguyen was student chair of homecoming, organizing and managing a significant budget for that annual event which was attended by over 3000 students, faculty and alumni. She was also orientation chair for Good News Bears, overseeing a staff of 30 students in charge of leading freshman orientation at the university, and working with top school administrators to ease new students through the transition from high school to college.

Nguyen is the daughter of Tac and Tran Nguyen of Troy. Her brother Michael, a 2009 Lehman graduate, just started Medical School at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine after finishing his undergraduate degree in two years at Kent State University. Several years ago, when Tac Nguyen was asked to relocate by his company, Schindler Elevator, he chose to commute weekly to Pennsylvania rather than move his family, citing graduation from Lehman as a top priority for his children.

“Lehman was vital in building the core principles of whom I am today both spiritually and as a person,” said Cynthia Nguyen. “I had the chance to build leadership skills and I was given opportunities to use those skills to serve others. Lehman also gave me the educational foundation that allowed me to transition into the rigors of pharmacy school with ease. I felt very prepared for college level study because of Lehman.”