Welcoming remarks were extended by Thomas Hoover (1976.) Invocation was offered by Reverend Frank Buck (1961). John Lescher (1966 and Distinguished Alumnus 2006) gave a role call of Alumni who have answered the Supreme Call of their Maker since the last gathering in 2008. Bernie Smith (1975 and Distinguished Alumnus 2005) served as Keynote Speaker intertwining inspirational thoughts with high school memories.

Three past EC Principals were in attendance including Outstanding Educator Nominee, Sr. Margaret McGovern, SND; Sr. Jacqueline Gusdane, SND and Barbara Piscopo. Present EC President and Principal, Andrew Krakowiak was also present.

Thomas Hoover introduced the Nominees: Barbara Walsh Diedrick (1952); Richard J. Mole (1969); David R. Davies (1975). New categories this year: Outstanding Educator, Sr. Margaret McGovern and Exceptional Service - Lou Rotunda.

For me personally, there was a thread of EC history that began with Barb Diedrick's remarks. An elementary teacher at St. Mary's in Elyria (Website | Profile) for 42 years, she told of her class being the first four-year graduating class at Elyria Catholic (Website | Profile). The first year, classes were held at St. Mary's until the building at EC was ready to receive students. As an underclassman at St. Mary's, I vividly remember EC's early days, and it was delightful to reminisce about them through Barb's eyes.

Sister Margaret McGovern (aka Sister St. Michael) has a long history with Elyria Catholic. As a teacher in the 1950's, she was instrumental in the creation of Friendship Day, which has been expanded to Friendship Week, now a tradition at Elyria Catholic. She returned as Principal from 1974-1979. During that time, Silver Dollar Bingo was established. Sister regaled the audience with her Irish wit and humor amid tales of many of her former students. She appeared in a green pantsuit and white blouse in keeping with the schools colors.

On July 15th, Sister Margaret will celebrate 62 years as a professed religious. Countless graduates of ECHS owe a debt of gratitude to this indomitable woman, who, as a Sister of Notre Dame, has devoted a major portion of her teaching and administrative career to EC'S students and the at-large community.

It was so good to see Lou Rotunda. When he recently celebrated his 80th birthday, EC honored him with a party, and well they should. I dug up an old banner/flag still stored in our garage and took it to the party with me. It was a fun time for all there. Lou Rotunda deserves every accolade extended to him by Elyria Catholic, including the title of “Mr. Elyria Catholic." For more than 50 years, he has devoted himself to EC and its students. How could any school be luckier?

Lou was equally important to the CYO program in Elyria. He started and coached the St. Mary's grade school football team for eight years. He also headed the CYO basketball program for 10 years and is a past president of Senior CYO.

For his unselfish devotion to the youth of Elyria, he was awarded the first "Eagle of the Cross for Youth Work" award in 1956 from the Diocese of Cleveland. He was inducted into the Elyria Sports Hall of Fame (Website | Profile) in 1978 and still serves as an officer of the organization. A member of the Lorain County Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, Class of 1994, he was inducted into the Elyria High School (Website | Profile) Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame in 2000.

Most of all, he is remembered for the annual Lou Rotunda Award (the oldest award in Lorain County) given to the best all-around senior male, student-athlete at EC since 1960, the most coveted award at the school.

In Lou's remarks he said how he missed the Sisters of Notre Dame!

Rounding out the speakers was Richard J. Mole, who very much appears to have followed in the foot steps of his Grandfather, Wells Mole, as a community activist.

Patti Jo Burtnett, Public Relations Manager for the Lorain County Children Services (Website | Profile), accepted the posthumous award of David Davies who lost his battle with cancer earlier this year. Among his many activities, Dave was a member and past chairman of the Board for Lorain County Children's Services.

Previous Hall of Fame recipients:

1999: Rev. Joseph Callahan (1975); Deanna Kelly Rieser (1988); Rita Ann Wazyniak Kissner (1963); Dennis O'Neal (1958); Nancy Gilles Romer, M. D. (1974).

2000: Mark Aulisio (1983); Lee Korzan (1976).

2001: John Gorney (1969); Michael Keys (1966).

2002: Nicholas Abraham (1960); Rev. Walter Jenne(1961)

2003: Dr. David Krol (1986); Hal Minnich (1953)

2004: Carol Webber Blackburn (1953); Andrew Janowicz (1974)

2005: Mary Morrison Butler (1961) and her Help Dog, French Fry; Bernard Smith (1975)

2006: Betty Yunker Blair (1956); Mary Garton (1966; John Lescher (1966)

2007: Michael Lappi, M. D. (1985); Andrew Serazin (1999)

2008: Ellen Naughton Basinski (1957); William J. Rice (1962)

Thanks to Chris Kish (1978), Alumni Association President, for all her work in helping to make this gathering such an enjoyable occasion.

DR. JAMES L. KOLOPUS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND, INC.

The Kolopus Scholarship Fund was formed in 1971 upon the untimely death of Jim Kolopus a 1956 ECHS graduate, who at the age of 33 was a nuclear physicist and principal investigator of materials brought back from the Apollo Moon Missions. He was widely recognized as an accomplished solid-state scientist and author of some 33 publications.

In commemorating our Class's 50th anniversary, we made arrangements with the School's Endowment Foundation to have the Kolopus Scholarship Fund become a part of the Endowment Fund. During our 35 years of separate operation, we awarded 56 scholarships amounting to $31,850.

The very first $1,000 Scholarship as part of the Endowment Foundation was awarded to Hannah Waitkus in 2007. In 2008, the $1,000 award went to Brian A. Crofoot and in 2009, to Alexander Bialko.

The Kolopus Scholarship Fund is the oldest endowed scholarship awarded at Elyria Catholic High School.

CONGRATULATIONS ELEANOR ROOSEVELT DEMOCRAT WOMEN'S CLUB 50th Anniversary

While Elyria Catholic was honoring its Hall of Fame recipients, that same evening, members and guests of the Eleanor Roosevelt Democrat Women's Club of Wellington (Website | Profile), had joined to celebrate 50 years of political activism and good fellowship (1959 - 2009).

A welcome was extended by President, Betty Farnsworth, followed by the biography of Eleanor Roosevelt offered by Dian Stanley.

Introduction of Presidents: Ann Sheldon (1959-61); Kate Wilson (1961-62); Kay Ward (1963-64); Beverly Yeager (1965-66); Juanita Fox (1967-68); Edna Waters (1969-70); Ethel Oney (1971-72); Francis Sines; Mary Beth Derikito; Jeanette Zubrick; Jan Querin; Drema Campbell (1990-91); Audaire Gibbs (1992-93); Imogene Stafirski (1999-2000); Betty Farnsworth (2000-2009).

Congratulations to a small but very committed group of Democrat ladies who work very hard and manage to have fun during the process!

SOUTH LORAIN COUNTY AMBULANCE DISTRICT

The Commissioners prepared a Proclamation honoring the services of the South Lorain County Ambulance District during EMS Week. The district, formed in 1977 as an all-volunteer service, has grown to a paid Day Squad and a volunteer Night Squad. The current Director is Pat Wilkinson, who oversees a staff of 32 EMT'S and paramedics. The District is tax-supported, services 10,000 residents in a 125 square mile area including the Townships of Brighton, Huntington, Penfield, Rochester, Wellington and the Villages of Rochester and Wellington, and makes over 1,000 runs every year.

The Program began with the following:

EMS PRAYER

As I perform my duty Lord,
Whatever be the call
Help to guide and keep me safe
From dangers big and small.

I want to serve and do my best
No matter what the scene
I pledge to keep my skills refined.
My judgment quick and keen.

This calling to give of myself
Most do not understand
But I stand ready all the time
To help my fellow man.

To have the chance to help a child
Restore his laugh with glee
A word of thanks I might not hear
But knowing is enough for me.

The praise of men is fine for some
But I feel truly blessed
That you, oh Lord, have chosen me
To serve in EMS!
Author Unknown

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

"Of all the things you wear, your expression are the most important."
"The heaviest thing you can carry is a grudge."
"Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."