Highlights from March 2019 to August 2019 Fall 2019

tulatio ns to the R ivet Class of

o ngra 2019
C
20
graduates

Offered $1,148,136 in College Scholarships

Vincennes Catholic Alumni & Friends

A Note From the CEF President

Many of you have heard the saying, “Time flies when you are having fun!” Well, I have to
say, that is a very true statement as I reflect on my many years in our Vincennes Catholic
Schools. It all began when my mother graduated from St. Rose Academy & my parents
raised me & my 4 siblings in the school system. My brothers graduated Rivet Class of
1980 & 1981. As a Freshman, I remember wondering if I would get to graduate from Rivet since there were
rumors of closing our school doors. My sister graduated Rivet Class of 1983. My husband, Chad, graduated
Rivet Class of 1985. I found my Senior year to be very exciting, as my class had made it through the so
called ‘scare of closure’ and I graduated Rivet Class of 1986. The Catholic Schools tradition continued as
our three sons started their school years at Flaget and continued to Rivet. Jared graduated Class of 2012,
Tanner graduated Class of 2016, and our youngest son, Austin graduated this past school year, Rivet Class of
2019! Wow…. if only the school walls & the Ralph Holscher Gymnasium could speak of the wonderful times
and years that I have been blessed with during my life with our Vincennes Catholic Schools! Thank you to all
of our past, present and future supporters for making these special memories happen for my family. Without
everyone’s generosity and big hearts, the tradition of the Vincennes Catholic Schools would not and could not
continue. I am always amazed of how so many wonderful friends and family come together to help strive for
the same goal - Keeping the Faith and keeping our Vincennes Catholic Schools going.
The 2018/2019 school year came to an end with many wonderful accomplishments and great fundraisers for
us all to be very proud of. Our school buildings are looking better & improving each day and our technology
is making great advancements. CEF is grateful to be able to provide the schools with the use of such funds
which are made possible from all of our great donors! Please help us continue to progress every day and
strive for the best education for our children. The wonderful works of God, daily prayer, acts of kindness, and
your generosity, all make for a successful continuation of the Tradition of our Vincennes Catholic Schools.
Please enjoy our Legacy and see the many great things happening within our “Family” at the Vincennes
Catholic Schools and Christian Educational Foundation.
Thank you so much for your continued prayers, love, and support of our Vincennes Catholic Schools.

Debbie Thomas, President

Christian Educational Foundation

2019-2020 CEF UPCOMING EVENTS:

Fall Gathering Mega Bingo Mega Bingo Golf Scramble Rendezvous
September 14 November 3 March 8 May 8 May 23-24

Like us on Facebook to keep up to date

Christian Educational Foundation on our events & so much more!
229 Church Street Vincennes, IN 47591
812-882-5889 | office@vincennescef.org
CEF Meetings: 1st Monday of the month - 6:00pm
Office Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (Closed Tues)
CEF holds monthly board meetings the first Monday of each month at
9:30am - 3:45pm 6:00pm. All are welcome to attend. The office is located inside the
Closed for lunch 11:15am-12:15pm “Old Catholic School” across the parking lot from Rivet. Come and
8:00-9:30am available by appt only join us in our support of our Vincennes Catholic Schools!
2 The Legacy | Fall 2019
Rivet & Flaget Retirees

The 2018-2019 school year ended with the retirement of one of Flaget's finest, Jhan Kocher.
After serving Flaget for 33 years, our beloved PreK teacher said goodbye to all the “littles” and the
families she so dearly cared for throughout her career.
Miss Jhan's send-off included an enormous card shower, as well as a celebration of all the traditions
that became synonymous with Miss Jhan's PreK. During the celebration, students presented Miss
Jhan with all sorts of things, from art projects to favorite books to the newly “retired” Tuttles. It goes,
without saying, that the halls of Flaget will be a little different this year without our scarf-clad PreK
legend.
Thank you, Miss Jhan for loving our kiddos ... and enjoy your retirement!

Kathryn Anglin began her teaching career in 1979 at Flaget

Elementary, teaching Kindergarten and Third Grade. She retired in 2019
from Rivet Middle/High School as the middle school Religion teacher.
She has two sons: Joe (2003 Rivet Graduate) and his wife Vickie, and
Michael, who was called home to his Heavenly
Father at the age of nine. Kathryn will be
moving to Indianapolis to be close to her two
granddaughters, Mikayla and Madi.

Mary Miller has taught for a total of 23

years, 6 of those at Rivet Middle/High School
as a middle school Science teacher. She is
WE WILL married to Bill Miller and they have one
daughter, Isabel (2018 Rivet Graduate). Mary
MISS YOU has now begun her new career as an avid
ALL. world traveler.

Flaget • Rivet • St. Rose • Central • Gibault 3

Vincennes Catholic Alumni & Friends

TEAMS
Rivet High School competed in the TEAMS (Tests for Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics and Science) competition at
Rose Hulman on March 12, 2019. The Junior Varsity team competed at the grade 9/10 level. The Varsity team competed
at the grade 11/12 level. Both teams coached by Beverly Adams. Essay questions were written by each team &
submitted prior to the competition. Day of competition, each team of 8 students worked together for 90 minutes to solve
80 multiple choice questions, focusing on 8 engineering scenarios related to the annual competition theme. Teams then
had 75 minutes to complete a hands-on design challenge using designated material.
The Junior Varsity team consisted of Katie Daugherty, Danica Dunn, Drake Dunn, Maddi Halter, Kathryn Herman, Charlie
Niehaus, Emma Spurgeon and April Tripp. Out of 10 teams in the state, JV finished 4th in Essay, 5th in Design/Build, 6th
in Multiple Choice and 9th overall.
The Varsity A team (photo) consisted of (LtoR) Savannah Cook,
Jack Whitsett, Aaron Wyatt, James Hancock, Grace Waggoner,
Cedric Schleiss, Noah Donovan and Grant Freeman. They won
the local competition at Rose Hulman, finishing 1st in Division
1. Out of 16 teams, they finished 2nd in the State. Finished 1st
in Design/Build, 3rd in Essay and 8th in Multiple Choice. The
team advanced this summer to the National Competition in
Washington, DC.

JETS to TEAMS: Continuting to Improve Each Year

By: Miss Beverly Adams

My first-year teaching at Rivet was the 1995-1996 school year. I remember early on in the school year, one of my seniors
in Calculus asked if I would be coaching JETS, since the previous teacher had coached it the year before. I said I would,
and then later learned what JETS was. JETS was the Junior Engineering Technical Society. The competition was held at
Rose Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute. The competition was held in the fall and then later moved to the
spring. Eight students were on a team. Almost every year, Rivet had both a Junior Varsity and a Varsity team. For a few
years, Rivet had a JV and 2 Varsity teams.
At first, the JETS competition did not have a requirement for who could be on JV and who could be on Varsity. Then, a
requirement was added that the Varsity team had to be junior/senior students and the JV team had to be sophomore/
freshman students. Also, the name was changed from JETS to TEAMS (Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and
Science).
The competition has changed a little over the years. Early on, there were only multiple-choice questions; later on, an
essay component was added. The students were required to write the essay during the competition. A few years ago,
the Essay part changed to where the students wrote it ahead of time and submitted it prior to the competition. A design/
build component is the latest addition to the competition.
Awards and rankings have changed some over the years as well. At the local competition at Rose Hulman, Rivet would
compete in our division based on school enrollment. Rose Hulman would award an overall winner. These scores
would be used to determine State ranking. My first year at Rivet, the Varsity team finished 3rd in the Nation, but I’m
unsure of how that was determined. For many more years after that, I am not sure they even had the National Ranking
component. In 2013, an actual National Competition event was added. In 2016, a Rivet junior varsity team and in 2019, a
Rivet Varsity team qualified and went to the National Competition. Each year, students involved in TEAMS continue to
improve on their skills and continue to make Rivet and the Vincennes Catholic Schools proud of their accomplishments.

4 The Legacy | Fall 2019

National TEAMS Competition in Washington, DC
Rivet High School students competed in the TEAMS National Competition in Washington, DC on June 28 through July
2, 2019. This year’s academic competition’s theme was “The Engineering Brain”. Of the 909 schools that competed at the
state level for middle & high school (grades 9/10 and 11/12), only 171 were at the National Competition. Rivet was 1 of 2
schools there from Indiana. A school from Turkey was even at the competition. The team consisted of Savannah Cook,
James Hancock, Jack Whitsett, Noah Donovan, Grant Freeman and Cedric Schleiss. Coached by Beverly Adams.
There were numerous components to the competition this year. The Digital Media was due at the end of May. The
challenge was to create informative & persuasive digital media (e.g website, infographic, video, digital billboard) to
promote the advantages of allowing autonomous vehicles in your city.
The first competition at the National Conference was on Saturday with the Prepared Presentation. The Prepared
Presentation was designed ahead of time, and then presented at the competition. The challenge was to design a solution
to a problem using Artificial Intelligence.
On Sunday, the Design/Build competition and the Mathematics problems were held. While some team members
designed & programmed a robot to navigate city obstacles, other team members worked to solve 25 very challenging
math problems. There were a total of 75 teams in the Varsity division at the National competition. Unfortunately, a final
standing for all 75 teams is not given, so Rivet doesn't quite know their placing.
While at competition, the students were able to explore the great city! This was a great experience, with many
accomplishments, from our very own little Catholic high school. Great job students, and Miss Adams!

Flaget • Rivet • St. Rose • Central • Gibault 5

Vincennes Catholic Alumni & Friends

Flaget Welcomes New Principal

We are excited to introduce the new principal at Flaget
Elementary. Her name is Mrs. Samantha McClure. She is a
lifelong member of St. Francis Xavier Parish. She completed her undergraduate degree
in elementary education at the University of Illinois and her master’s in administration
at Eastern Illinois University. She has had a diverse experience working with students
in many grade levels and coordinating the Talented and Gifted program (TAG).
Mrs. McClure is looking forward to working with the staff and families at Flaget to
provide a safe and supportive environment where students can grow spiritually and
academically.
We are very excited to have her join the Flaget family!

Benefits of SGO Scholarship Program

Indiana’s Tax Credit Scholarship program or SGO was created as a way to help families get a financial boost,
making it possible for them to send their children to a private school. Each year private donations are collected
through the Institute for Quality Education (IQE) in the name of the Vincennes Catholic Schools. Those donations
are then given as SGO Scholarships to those who qualify, enabling these students to attend Flaget or Rivet.
Without this financial assistance, our schools may not otherwise be an option.
The IQE receives, manages and distributes these private donations as SGO Scholarships for our qualifying students
at Vincennes Catholic Schools. In the 2017-18 school year, 30 families benefited from these scholarships, allowing
parents to make the choice to send their children to the Vincennes Catholic Schools.
Each year, we must raise funds for these SGO Scholarships. Individuals and companies in Indiana are eligible to
receive a state tax credit equal to fifty-percent (50%) of the amount donated. Since IQE is a 501c3, these donations
are eligible for a federal tax deduction as well. Please consider making a donation today!
You may contact Rivet or Flaget if you have questions or need more information. Or to make a donation to the
Institute for Quality Education for Vincennes Catholic Schools, please go to http://www.i4qed.org/sgo/donors IQE
can also answer questions or provide more information.

Many thanks to the individuals who donated Your Help

through the Legacy envelope: March 2019 - August 2019 Is Greatly
Appreciated
Joseph & Mary Rae Bodart Paul & Amelia Mouzin The envelope attached in the middle of the
Douglas & Mary Catt Stephen & Jacqueline Risch booklet is for your use! Please consider
donating to the Christian Educational
David & Lynda Hennon Lois Ruppel
Foundation. We can also accept donations
Bob E. Hess Robert & Nancy Schukai through PayPal on our website, www.
James Jackson Rocky & Mary Ann Thacker vincennescef.org. Your donations will
help us meet our monthly obligations to
James McKenna Larry & Mary Wehrheim
the Vincennes Catholic Schools. We truly
James & Marcia Mossman appreciate your support.

6 The Legacy | Fall 2019

Entreprenurial Endeavers WithIN
Knox County
Published April 16, 2019 by Amber Robinson, Communications Coordinator for Indiana's Office of Career Connections and Talent, www.in.gov

Safety First
Student safety is top-of-mind for Cameron Klein, James Hancock and Colten Mouzin. Students themselves and first-place
winners of the 2019 Innovate WithIN pitch competition, the trio set out to invent something to improve the education system.

Innovate WithIN plays a key role in the Hoosier entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing high school students programming that
nurtures young innovators. Programs like this equip Indiana students with insight, skills and expertise necessary to support
long-term economic growth as our next generation of leaders.

“I think in the back of all of our minds, we wanted to do something that could make a significant impact on many lives.
Eventually, school shootings came up in conversation, and I think the little lightbulb above all of our heads went off at the same
time, and we all thought we should try to solve that problem,” recounts James.

The LyfePack is a backpack combining solar power and student safety for the purpose of bettering student lives inside and
outside the classroom. Its charging capabilities make it an ideal backpack for someone, like a student, who is constantly on the
move. But what sets LyfePack apart from other backpacks more than modern features is its life-saving ability.

Made with Kevlar, a lightweight bulletproof, stab proof, and flame

resistant fiber used to make body armor, LyfePack works to protect the
person wearing it, similar to the vests worn by law enforcement and
military personnel.

“Making our LyfePack out of Kevlar is specifically for the purpose of

keeping students safe in hopefully rare circumstances,” notes the
team. “As sad as it may be, nobody ever knows what danger they may
encounter throughout any normal day, especially high school and college
students.”

Congratulations
to our 2019
Rivet Graduates:
James Hancock,
Colten Mouzin, &
Cameron Klein.
Flaget • Rivet • St. Rose • Central • Gibault 7
Vincennes Catholic Alumni & Friends

RHS State Academic Competitors

English Social Studies Interdisiplinary

Congratulations to the Rivet High School Academic Teams who competed at the State Qualifying meet on April 16th at
North Knox.
The Rivet English Team finished 1st. Team members were (L to R): Coach Jill Herb, Savannah Cook, Tia Tolbert, Abby
Niehaus, Kathryn Herman and Taylor Lammert.
Rivet Social Studies team finished 3rd. Team members were (L to R): Coach Joe Hopf, Kathryn Herman, Grant Freeman,
Abby Niehaus and Brynn Phillps.
The Rivet Interdisciplinary team also finished 3rd. Team members were Taylor Lammert, Cedric Schleiss, Grant Freeman,
and Savannah Cook.
Fine Arts was tied for 3rd, but lost to tie breakers. Team members were Noah Donovan, Taylor Lammert, Colten Mouzin
and Tia Tolbert. Math team finished 4th. Team members were Drake Dunn, Cedric Schleiss, and Luke Weiss. Science
team members were Savannah Cook, Noah Donovan, Grant Freeman, James Hancock, Caroline Herman and Cedric
Schleiss. Congratulations to all!

Rivet Math Team Places 3rd at Blue Chip

Rivet High School students competed in the Blue Chip Academic
Super Bowl at Shoals High School on March 7, 2019. Rivet's Math
team finished 3rd in the competition. Rivet math team members are
(L to R): Cedric Schleiss, Luke Weiss, Drake Dunn, and Aaron Wyatt.
They were coached by Beverly Adams.

The 2019 Mr. Ralph Holscher This year, the Mr. Ralph Holscher
“Up & Beyond” Teacher Award was “Up & Beyond” Scholarship was
presented to Flaget teacher, awarded to Kenadee Frey. Kenadee is
Mrs. Dana Greenwood. the daughter of Kolby & Jill Frey.

8 The Legacy | Fall 2019

INAUGURAL Judy A. Halter
Memorial Scholarships Awarded
Written by: Jamie Kroeger

This was the first year the Judy A. Halter Memorial Scholarship was presented and we hope to make it a
long-time reoccurring thing we can do. This scholarship opportunity is really about one act of generosity
leading to another generous act. The scholarship is made possible this year by a donor who wishes to remain
anonymous, but was a person touched by my mom’s caring outreach. Years ago, in the late 70’s when we
were of high school age, Mom was working at this St Johns parish at the time, learned of a VU student,
a Chinese girl, who was in need of a place to stay, and assistance to help her complete her final year of
schooling. Mom and Dad,without giving it a second thought, brought this girl in to our home and we welcomed
her best we could.
That student went on to complete that year of school, go on to get her PHD, and now is head of an
international division for a major multinational corporation. That person was touched by my Moms spirit of
giving and wishes to honor that with this scholarship.
How did this unlikely pair and meeting become a 40-year relationship? Really, two things they had in common,
the Catholic Faith, and a passion for learning and studies.
Judy Halter, although confined and limited much of her adult life due to serious illness, had a determination to
live out her faith life by helping others, and she had a child-like curiosity and fascination of God’s creation and
a desire to learn. She would encourage those around her to go, learn and do!
It is in that spirit of character, that we wish to present 3 scholarships each for $1,000.
“In honor of Judy’s life of generously giving to others, the recipient is asked to strive to live a life of caring
Christian values.”

The winners of the scholarships

were Olivia Vantlin, Jaelyn
Trent, and Savannah Cook.
The scholarship was presented
in Judy’s (St. Rose Academy
1957) honor by her husband,
Francis (Central Catholic 1956),
and her children
Lisa Brown (RHS 1978), Jamie
Kroeger (RHS 1979), and Leon
Halter (RHS 1980).

2019-2020 Scholarships Given Through CEF:

Noland & Elizabeth McClure Foundation Scholarship
— Danielle Bickett Family
Leona Conn Scholarship — Willie & Susan Lewis Family
Catherine Ruppel Scholarship — Travis & Sara Davis Family
Hugh Wickens Scholarship — Tristan & Ashley Stoelb Family

Flaget • Rivet • St. Rose • Central • Gibault 9

Vincennes Catholic Alumni & Friends

BACK TO SCHOOL

CEF joined Flaget and Rivet

students and families at the Back
to School events. CEF provided
everyone with Swirl's Frozen
Yogurt to enjoy after they met
their teachers and viewed the
schools. We hope everyone has
a safe and happy school year!

•
In Memory
Our Recently Deceased Alumni Donations to CEF
Jackie Keller Edwards – 1948 Ruth Ann Frey Myers - 1965 In Memory of
Richard Williams - 1951 Sam Marcroft – 1967 March 2019 through August 2019
Patricia Brown Werner - 1953 Tom Elkins – 1969
Richard D. Cannon
Lawrence Sanneman – 1954 Rebecca Lane Siebe – 1972
Mike Dixon
Tom McAllister - 1955 Diane Fortner Toth - 1972 Rene “Bud” Dognaux Jr.
Richard D. Cannon – 1957 Martin Fox – 1974 Elmer Lambiotte
Richard Thais - 1957 Phil Rath - 1974 Phil Rath
Sharon McCormick Kras – 1959 Denise Ostendorf - 1980 Zachary Tromley
C. Kenny Newton - 1961 (Brother) Carl J. Koch - Faculty

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

10 The Legacy | Fall 2019

 s Alumni News
This year will be the 25th St. Rose Academy Alumnae Reunion. The reunion will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2019.
The celebration will begin on Saturday morning with Mass at 9:00AM at the Old Cathedral. Everyone in the Vincennes
Community, all alumni of the Vincennes Catholic Schools – spouses and families, are more than welcome and encouraged
to attend. We would like to FILL THE CHURCH. Father Gary Kaiser will be the celebrant. The Central Catholic and St.
Rose Classes of 1969 are planning a beautiful liturgy! The Mass intention will be for all deceased alumni from the Vin-
cennes Catholic Schools.
Immediately following Mass – Rivet High School will be open for tours until noon.
The annual buffet luncheon for St. Rose Academy will begin at noon at the Green Activities Center on the VU Campus.
The doors will be opened by 10:00AM. This is for “ladies only” and reservations must be paid in advance. Tables will be
reserved for each class.
For more information please contact Mary Ann Thacker at 812-890-2902 or marypearl66@yahoo.com

Rivet Alumni Celebrate Reunions at Germanfest

1974

1979

• 2014
Another
successful
year!
Thank you
to all for
helping
and
supporting
this great
event!

Flaget • Rivet • St. Rose • Central • Gibault 11

229 Church Street
Vincennes, IN 47591

Return Service Requested

Flashback from Rivet 1998-1999 Photo Archives