Checking In with Some Old Friends

At West Side we like to keep in touch with our former students and graduates. It is a true delight to hear from these young adults. Read on to discover what a few of our "old friends" have been up to since their West Side years.

Ben Miller started at West Side as a kindergartener and graduated from eighth grade in 1995. Ben and his 10 classmates were the second class of eighth graders to graduate from the new Bancroft Campus when only middle school students occupied the property. Ben entered St. John’s Jesuit High School when he graduated from West Side. His high school years were divided between school and tennis. “I was spending two to three hours every day practicing and I traveled to tournaments on the weekends. Classes at St. John’s required a lot of hard work and tennis was my outlet for relieving all that stress.”

During his senior year Ben and his doubles partner of four years made it to the state tennis tournament. This event was very exciting even though they took second place. “The match was played the same day as graduation and was a perfect conclusion to all the hard work both on and off the court.”Ben’s undergraduate college adventures took place at Vanderbilt University. “My entire first year was the most memorable. Everything was so new and different - both terrifying, thrilling, and wonderful all at the same time.” Ben majored in psychology with a minor in sociology. Interestingly, two of his favorite courses were electives, Ethics and History of World War II. “Taking these courses was a good lesson in how important it is to stay balanced, even if it means committing some time to things that don’t fit perfectly into your plan.”

Ben moved on from Vanderbilt to law school at Wake Forest University. “My dad is a lawyer so I got to see the lifestyle he enjoyed and also had a lot of chances to participate in shadowing and mock-trial programs. In fact, the first mock-trial I was involved in was with my sixth grade class at West Side.” Wake Forest was a perfect choice for Ben because it was similar in size to Vanderbilt, had a strong academic reputation and small class sizes. A highlight for him was the summer after his first year of law school. Wake Forest offers a study abroad program and Ben lived and studied in London and Venice for two months. “It was my first time out of the country. Combining this new experience with my continuing introduction to the law was like discovering a brand new world!” He enjoyed his years at Wake Forest and graduated in 2006.

Ben is currently an associate at a defense litigation firm in Nashville. The firm practices all phases of trial work and mostly represents insurance companies to represent the people or businesses they insure. He lives just five miles outside downtown and loves it. He has a steady girlfriend who he met the first year at law school and he says, “she has been his best friend ever since.”

When asked about his West Side memories, he has lots. “I think the reason I have so many is because each year was so unique. The teachers were always trying to come up with new ways of teaching and new things to do.” He feels that the individual attention students received plus the encouragement to work together to solve problems and to help each other were lessons he learned at West Side. “I felt extremely prepared for the different challenges of all of the schools I attended. I can trace that success back to the initial learning tools I acquired at West Side.” Good luck to Ben in all his future endeavors!

West Side has had many siblings attend the school over the years. It is always exciting and heartwarming to catch up with them and see what experiences they have had since they graduated. In August of 2007 Jessica and Ryan McHugh visited West Side.

Jessica, better known as Jess, entered West Side as a kindergartner. She graduated eighth grade in 1998. Jess entered St. Ursula Academy for her high school years. She moved onto college and realized that she wanted something else, a career in nursing. She entered Mercy College of Northwest Ohio and graduated in May 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. “I choose nursing because it is a combination of caring for people and educating them at the same time. Also, I get to act as a patient advocate watching out for the best interest of the patient.” Jess has joined the nursing staff at St. Anne’s Medical/Surgical unit and really likes it. “Everyone is very friendly and there is a great diversity among the patients which I enjoy.”Jess also gets to work with the families to help them learn how to care for their recovering family member.

Right now she is getting used to her new job and schedule, she works 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. three days a week. “I’m experiencing the work life and adjusting.” When asked how she stays awake during those long night hours she replied, “Caffeine tends to do the trick.” An unusual experience for Jess was when she was doing her practicum. While on St. Vincent’s pediatric unit, she ran into her West Side middle school teacher.

Despite her busy schedule she has been able to squeeze in some scuba diving with the family including a trip to the Cayman Islands. Jess is already thinking about returning to school to advance her nursing education and looking towards a future in pediatric nursing.

Ryan graduated from WSMC in 2000 after spending nine years at the school. He attended St. Francis de Sales High School and will be a senior at Miami University of Ohio. “I’m majoring in finance with a minor in entrepreneurship. I chose Miami because I remember visiting the campus when I was young and several of my high school friends were swimmers for Miami. It also has a good business school.”

Ryan’s transition to college was pretty easy except that he doesn’t get home much because of swim team training. He enjoys the variety of classes he has taken and all the people he has met. Also, his time management skills have gotten really good. “I have learned that I need to keep track of my schedule in order to get in all the time I need for classes and swim training.” Speaking of swimming, Ryan has been a fish since he was little. He swam for St. Francis and was awarded the 2004 Athlete of the Year. He received a partial scholarship to swim for Miami and the team won the 2006 MAC Conference. Ryan swims the sprint 50, 100, and 200 yard freestyle. Ryan’s ideal end to his longtime swimming career would be to go to the Olympic trials in June 2008. “The time standard for the trials is 51.59 for the 100 meter. My current time is 51.79. I am only .20 of a second away. I’m going to keep trying.”

As far as after graduation, Ryan is deciding between the job market and going for a masters in business.Jess and Ryan’s memories of West Side include the closeness of their classmates, the one-on-one attention, the freedom to expand your creativity, trips, the end-of-year projects and the great time management skills you learn that have really come in handy. For all current students they say, “Keep your mind open to new experiences and new people.”

Meet 1997 West Side graduate, Lauren Stockdale. Lauren started at West Side as a tiny pre-primary student in 1986. Several years later she was joined by her sister Erin and they both stayed at the school all the way through eighth grade.After West Side, Lauren continued her education at Notre Dame Academy. While in school she particularly enjoyed biology and English classes. Also, always having a flare for performance; she continued to participate in musicals at Notre Dame, one for St. Francis and the school’s choir. Outside of high school she rode and cared for horses at a stable in Perrsyburg and even competed with her horse in regional hunter/jumper events.

Lauren graduated with honors including a five year science award. Multiple Mid-West colleges offered Lauren scholarships and she chose Kalamazoo College.“I chose Kzoo for several reasons. I wanted to attend a small liberal arts school that focused on experiential education - something WSMC helped me appreciate! Kalamazoo also has one of the top study abroad programs in the U.S. which I was anxious to participate in not to mention a stellar science program.” Lauren majored in biology concentrating on animal behavior and physiology and decided to minor in English, particularly creative writing. During her first year she participated in the LandSea program, which is a three-week long orientation program for freshmen. It takes place in Killarney Provincial Park, Ontario. “You backpack, canoe, portage, rock climb, and rappel through the park while enhancing your team-building skills.” Lauren liked it so much she was a program leader her sophomore year. She also participated in K Crew, a student organization that assists the admissions office in recruiting future students and as a writing consultant in the academic resource center.

Lauren’s most memorable college experience was her study abroad in Nairobi, Kenya. “I lived with a Kenyan family and studied at the University of Nairobi for six months. I learned to speak Kiswahili, traveled throughout the country, went on safaris and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.” Lauren volunteered at the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife Giraffe Center in Nairobi for five weeks working with seven Rothschild giraffes. She returned to Kenya after her junior year for two months to complete the research for her Senior Individualized Project. While she was there, she studied parasite-mediated competition between the common Burchell’s zebras and the endangered Grevy’s zebras. Her results are going to be compiled in a manuscript to be published by Dr. Dan Rubenstein, Princeton University.After graduating form Kalamazoo, Lauren moved to St. Paul, Minnesota and began working at an equine veterinary clinic as an assistant while applying to veterinary school. Great news - she will begin attending the Veterinary School at Ohio State in September. After she gets her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, she plans to work in equine or zoo medicine.

Lauren’s great memories of West Side are “too many to choose from!” She fondly remembers the Peace Festival, the middle school’s end-of-year project in 1995. “We painted a Volkswagen van, everyone was decked out in their best hippie clothing, there was months of preparation before-hand and I even sang Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” in front of all the guests and parents.” She also recalls her lead role in the children’s opera, “Pearl.” “I was poised for the opening curtain and called over to our music teacher, Barb and said I’m going to throw up! Barb said, You’re beautiful and you’re going to be fine! The performance was fine and then I ended up out of school for two weeks because I had the flu.”

As Lauren puts it, “My experience at WSMC helped me appreciate the value of experiential education, which I seek to this day. WSMC also fostered my desire for lifelong learning because I began learning at a place where I was allowed to thrive as an individual and be praised for my uniqueness. I grew up in West Side’s prejudice-free environment and have appreciated everyone’s differences ever since.” To today’s WSMC students she says, “don’t ever settle – question everything and don’t be discouraged by those who want you to conform. You are lucky to grow-up at West Side, an open and accepting environment.”

Alum Named Outstanding Official 

Congratulations to Chase Parsell, WSMC class of 2004 on being recognized in the national magazine USA Hockey, for his skills as a referee. Chase, who is currently a junior at St. John’s Jesuit High School, was recognized by his peers as an “Outstanding Young Official” through the Northwest Ohio Ice Hockey Officials Association. Chase has been a Level 3 official for five years. He also plays on St. John’s varsity hockey team. 

Grad Receives Honors 

Congratulations to Nicholas Dziad, WSMC class of 2003, on being awarded the medal for highest average in Computer Science for his work in the 2005-2006 school year. Nicholas is a senior at St. Francis de Sales. 

Lynn Fisher with Nick Dziad and Amy Dziad

WSMC Alum’s Columns Featured on Sports Website           

Alex Brooks, WSMC class of 2006, is enjoying great success as an online columnist for a University of Michigan sports fan website. Alex, who is a freshman at Maumee Valley Country Day, is the youngest columnist to be featured on the site.           

Alex is well on his way to fulfilling his career goals. As he stated in his eighth grade graduate bio, which was published in the school’s special yearly publication, the West Side Story, his plans for the future are to pursue a career as a sports writer or a sports broadcaster.

To check out Alex’s articles, visit www.umgoblue.com and click on Alex’s name under the Columnists header.

WSMC Alumna Works for Congresswoman           

Emily Boening, WSMC class of 1992, was recently hired as a Legislative Correspondent for Ohio Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. Emily, who is a recent graduate of the University of Chicago, was a former intern for Marcy Kaptur. Her position now offers her the chance to do research on foreign policy, trade and immigration. 

Former Student Interviewed on ABC News           

It was very exciting to see West Side graduate, Lauren Smith (class of 1997), interviewed on the ABC Nightly News, Sunday, December 17. Lauren graduated from Columbia University and is currently attending Harvard Law School.  The law school recently featured a guest lecturer, a self-educated "jailhouse lawyer" incarcerated in the Florida Department of Corrections.  This man decided to educate himself in law after he was sentenced.  He "didn't think he got a fair shake in the legal process because he didn't have the right legal council."  Lauren was one of the students who heard his lecture and was asked her opinion of the lecture.  "He made it clear that we need to provide adequate meaningful council for those unable to afford it." 

Alum Joins Youth Leadership Council           

Congratulations to Shana Shetty, class of 2005, for being nominated to be a Toledo Children’s Hospital Youth Leadership Council representative. Shana, who is a sophomore at Notre Dame Academy, was nominated by her principal and guidance counselor. 

Alum Wins State Title in Hockey           

Congratulations to Chase Parsell, class of 2004, and his St. John’s Jesuit High School hockey teammates for winning the state title. Chase, who is a junior at SJJ, scored two goals including the game winner for the semifinal game.

Grads Inducted into NHS           

On March 28, all four WSMC class of 2004 grads now attending St. Ursula Academy were inducted into the National Honor Society. Congratulations to Erin Leidy, Lauren Sheehan, Colleen Weiher and Maggie Wentz. 

Erin Leidy, Lauren Sheehan, Colleen Weiher and Maggie Wentz

Alum Named Tourney’s Best Goaltender  

Congratulations to Josh Unice, WSMC class of 2003, on being named the best goaltender at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship in Finland. Josh played on the USA under-18 hockey team which took a silver medal at the tournament. Josh currently attends Huron High School in Ann Arbor. He has signed to play at BGSU next year. Great job, Josh!

WSMC Class of 2002 Graduates from High School

Johnathan Frisch, Neil Bhandari, Sonya Naganathan, Radhika Mehta, Laura Smith, Samantha Petroshius-Crocker and Misty Ahmed

Former Student Helps Save Refugees at Sea

Anita Kasch, who attended West Side from 1984-1992, recently made headlines in Denver, CO, where she currently attends the University of Denver. Anita, who was spending a semester at sea on board the SS Corwith Cramer, played a critical role in the rescue of 49 Haitian refugees.

Being fluent in French, Anita instructed the refugees, who had been at sea for five days with a dwindled supply of food and water, one at a time to board the SS Corwith Cramer. She also assured the frightened children, women and men that they were not going to be abandoned.

On the experience Anita has said, “You read about this kind of thing in the newspaper every day. But when you see it for yourself, it’s a lot different. It’s unbelievable.”

We think Anita is pretty unbelievable! If you would like to read the complete story on Anita’s rescue, go to www.rockymountainnews.com. Click on News, choose Local and search for Anita Kasch.